The Burmese Pointy Hat

I have a Burmese army from Hall of Ancient Warriors.

The figures are all in the costume as shown in Greer's "Armies and Enemies of Ancient China" either a loincloth or quilted armour with a pointy hat.

My question - what is this hat made of? and if the answer to that question doesn't immediately tell me, what colour should it be?

Cheers

[Chris Brantley]

Pretty sure they would be made of straw.

Thanks Chris,

but I'm not sure about this - the hat in question is not the classic Asiatic broad and conical straw hat (the "coolie" hat). This thing is tall and conical with the base being the same diameter as the top of the wearer's head.

Both Chariot Miniatures and Hall of Ancient Warriors produce figures of this type (modelled on Greer's drawings) and they appear differently dressed to the Outpost figures that I saw in the eye candy gallery.

cheers

MacBeth

I have seen two types of Burmese helmets you are talking about. One is a Bronze or Gold-leafed but can also be Lacquered Red or Black it is shaped like a bell. The other (I believe the one you are referring) is almost mitre/conical looking. This one I have seen photos of old Burmese tribal chiefs (Thai as well) wearing. In the photo I saw, the helmet was Gold or Bronzed. But the picture was black and white.

Additionally, in the new film "Legend of Suriyothai" there is one scene of a Burmese War Elephants rider wearing the mitre/conical helmet, it was bronze/gold. The scene was quick though, the majority of the Burmese wearing the more familiar Bell-helmets.

I have some Outpost Burmese they are supporting the Mitre/conial helmet and "heater" type shield.
There are some painted photos of the Burmese on the Outpost website. The artist painted the helmets gold.

I have been to Thailand, and I have to tell you they are Gold-leaf crazy. So I tend to go with the Gold helmet interpretation.

Hope this helps.

[ July 19, 2006, 17:46: Message edited by: Ralph (4) ]

We did a special issue in Time Portal Passages on Burma and are now finishing the text for the Crimson publishing project on Burma.

The conical hat was a symbol of the Burman, as was hevy tatoos. The other major ethnic groups that had dynasties did not wear the conical hat but wore turbans (as shown in Chariot castings) or Chinese style turbans or no headgea.

The Arkanese located on the coast were heavily influenced by Indians including weapons and dress.

The Shan were part of the South China Nan-Chao group who also establish Siam and other kingdoms on the Chinese border. So wore Chinese style dress.

The Tailangs were also called Mons and often wore only a small turban or no headgear at all.

Thanks to all of you for this,

I will gold up my Burmese - that should scare the hell out of the opposition.

Rudy,

thanks for the tip about tatooing - if anyone remembers Gregorius' pictures of our Libyan vs Saitic clash last year you would have seen my heavily tatooed Libyans (using a very fine marker pen).

It is something I've had some practice with.

(BTW - the Libyans had their second victory last Sunday vs Alex Macs)

Cheers