Stirrup

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The form of this stirrup, with its peaked arch and rounded bottom corners, is distinctively Tibetan, as opposed to the more typical styles that were derived from Mongolia and China. The design damasened in silver in the center of the pierced tread represents the Wheel of Law, a symbol frequently found on Tibetan objects.

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