Cuirass (Chair-a'ina)

Cuirass (Chair-a'ina)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Persian term char-a'ina (“four mirrors”) refers to the four plates that compose this type of cuirass. The engraved decoration consists of traditional genre scenes, including those of war, hunting, and leisure. The inscriptions include a verse by the Persian poet Sa'di (ca. 1213–1292) from his Gulistan (Rose Garden) and another that refers specifically to the armor: “Four mirrors are good for the hero’s back, and no one should ever see the back of a hero.”

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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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.