Shireen El Kassem Mamluk helmets (1250—1517): new perspectives

Despite the significance that has been accorded by the Mamluks to the military production, Mamluk military art is rarely considered as a part of the Islamic art field. Helmets were intended not only for the protection but also for the public display during the Mamluk period (1250–1517), and thus played a considerable role in decorative arts. In this lecture, the discussion will focus on the production and development of Mamluk helmets, and the social and military importance they acquired within the Mamluk society.

Shireen El Kassem obtained her BA degree in History of Art and Archaeology from the Sorbonne-University (Paris IV) and MA degree in Islamic Art and Architecture from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London. She is currently the assistant curator at the Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic art. Her main research interests are in material culture and cross-cultural exchanges in the Mamluk Sultanate between 1250 and 1517, especially in Mamluk arms and armour, metalwork and textiles.