Out Of The Blue Artifacts A Library of a lifetime of collecting
A Cornish Miners Helmet.
This type of helmet was originally made from a thick felt material and covered in a pine resin to harden it.
The candle and ball of clay are genuine and period to the piece.
Each new candle was wrapped in a ball of clay with a short length of thick copper wire, the wire was inserted into the hole in the front of the helmet and bent downwards to form a hook which secured the ball of clay and candle to it. The Cornish miners would take a good supply of candles underground to last the shift.