Armor of Mail and Plate

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This distinctive armor, constructed of mail and steel plates decorated with embossed brass plaques, is thought to come from the northeast Indian kingdom of Sind, now a province in southern Pakistan. The region was ruled by mirs of the Talpur family from 1783 until 1843, when it was taken over by the British. Very few of these complete Sind armors survive, and this is one of the best examples.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.

Metropolitan Museum of Art