Helmet of the Wild

Every Helmet of the Wild is made by my hands for a personalized fit.
The outer shell is cornstarch-based to allow for easier concave molding
to fit the skull and accommodate the distinctive flare over the ears.
Surface color pigments (all organic) are mixed into egg tempura:
mint green from soda grass, tan from
winter wheat, faint pink from pomegranate juice.
The helmet is then heated in a clay oven
for approximately all day. Once removed,
the helmet is brittle until leather cables
are epoxied (rice milk and oat gluten)
to interior in latticework pattern.
Tempering is governed by seasons and milled
to a smooth touch. The protective mask is one inch thick tubular
semicircular protuberance made of catgut and twine,
with burlap at its core. Pewter screws with flat twists
affix protective mask to each side securely.
Leather buttons on chinstrap. Antique decal
of skull and crossbones rendered in soda ink on linen
and applied on each side above hand-drilled ear holes.
Gifted to a lucky few.