A Vintage Cornish Miners Helmet

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This type of helmet was originally made from a thick felt material and covered in a pine resin to harden it.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.

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