A magnificent helmet of the Noble Guard, epoch Pius IX dating: 1846 - 1878 provenance: Papal States, Nickel-plated metal skull, brass crest with lion's head at the end, black horsehair tail, golden plate with the words 'PIO IX'; sealskin turban with frontal decoration depicting the Papal emblem on a silver plate; armored leather chin-straps with golden brass scales worked with laurel leaves. Inner part with leather sweat-band and black silk cap. Complete with feather. In its original box covered with red leather, it can be opened both from above and from the front, lined with red silk and with the stamp of the seller 'Bertoni Milano'. Very rare. height 31 cm.