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Cuirass (Char-aina)

late 18th–early 19th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 379
The Arabic inscriptions stress God as the God of Light, the rewards He will give His servants, and His punishment of unbelievers and evildoers. The light imagery is particulary appropriate for gold embellished armors of "four mirror" (char-aina) type.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Cuirass (Char-aina)
  • Date: late 18th–early 19th century
  • Culture: Indian or Iranian
  • Medium: Steel, gold, textile
  • Dimensions: of breastplate H. 13 in. (33 cm); of backplate H. 15 1/2 in. (39.37 cm); of sides H. 9 5/8 in. (24.5 cm); of whole cuirass W. 11 1/4 in. (28.5 cm); of whole cuirass D. 9 1/2 in. (24 cm); of whole cuirass Wt. 7 lb. (3163 g)
  • Classification: Armor Parts-Cuirasses
  • Credit Line: Gift of Harry G. Friedman, 1948
  • Object Number: 48.92.1
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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