Sixteen-Plate Helmet 15th-17th century Tibetan The classic and most recognizable type of Tibetan helmet consists of eight overlapping plates joined by leather laces. This helmet is a much rarer form made up of sixteen plates, of which the outer plates have cusped edges drawn to steep points. It is very similar to a helmet belonging to a Tibetan armor in the British Museum, on deposit from the Royal Collections, which was among several items presented to King George V by the Thirteenth Dalai Lama in 1912.. Sixteen-Plate Helmet. Tibetan. 15th-17th century. Iron, hair (yak), leather. Helmets