Victorian Military Helmets, Pith Helmets & Helmet Art

The Victorian period produced some of the most distinctive military helmet shapes. Home Service helmets, Foreign Service sun helmets and related pith-helmet styles combine practical origins with elaborate badges, fittings and silhouette.

This collection focuses on nineteenth-century helmet traditions through original paintings, fine art prints and photographs. Explore British examples alongside relevant American forms, including the spike-and-plume style. Compare shells, badges and ornament to understand why these objects remain so visually recognisable. For a broader chronological view, continue into the military helmets collection, which also includes later service designs.

Explore related collections: Helmets, Cap Badges and Helmet Plates and Historic Photographs.