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Not currently on display at the V&A
On display at the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds

This object consists of 11 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Horse armour

Horse Armour
1400-1800 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Tibet (made)

The head guard or chafron form a complete set of lamellar armour. This type of armour, in which lamellae or rectangular plates are bound together in rows, was known from as early as the 4th century in central Asia and Sassanian Iran. Other Tibetan suits of this type have been dated to between the 15th and 17th centuries.


Object details

Categories
Arms & Armour
Transport
Animals and Wildlife
Equestrian Equipment
Object type
Horse armour
Parts
This object consists of 11 parts.

  • Horse Armour
  • Horse Armour
  • Horse Armour
  • Horse Armour
  • Horse Armour
  • Horse Armour
  • Horse Armour
  • Horse Armour
  • Horse Armour
  • Horse Armour
  • Horse Armour
TitleHorse armour
Materials and techniques
Forged and pierced iron, leather
Iron
Leather
Forged
Piercing
Brief description
Horse armour composed of lamellar metal and studded leather panels decorated with painted and inscribed designs, textiles and pendants of dyed hair, with head guard, neck defences and panels enclosing the horse's flanks, Tibet, 1400-1800
Physical description
Head guard or shaffron. An armoured headguard for a horse consisting of square lamellae and openwork iron pieces attached to a leather backing.
Dimensions
  • Length: 57cm
  • Width: 66.5cm
Object history
Given to Sir Charles Bell by the 13th Dalai Lama in Darjeeling in 1910 during his exile from Tibet.
Summary
The head guard or chafron form a complete set of lamellar armour. This type of armour, in which lamellae or rectangular plates are bound together in rows, was known from as early as the 4th century in central Asia and Sassanian Iran. Other Tibetan suits of this type have been dated to between the 15th and 17th centuries.
Collection
South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number
IM.30 to J-1933

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Record createdJuly 29, 2004
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O102018/horse-armour-horse-armour-unknown/
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