Ceremonial Suit of Armour

Place of ManufactureAsia

MediumMaterial: silk; gilt bronze;

DimensionsOther (a) Jacket: 79.5 × 185.5 cm Other (b) skirt: 95.7 × 62.7 cm Other (c) armpit protector: 30 × 29.7 cm Other (d) helmet: 67.5 cm

ClassificationsDECORATIVE ART

Credit LineGift of Norman Christie

Object number1989.005.001 a-d

Descriptiona (the jacket): Made from silk covered cotton, it is a jacket with metal stud buttons and silk button hooks from the top of the collar to 23.2cm from the bottom hem. The jacket is covered with the same metal studs which are attached to the silk. They are arranged in a circular pattern in the chest area. Six ropes with tassles on the end adorn the shoulders (three on each shoulder). The back and front panels are attached at the sides except for 28.2cm at the bottoms which are attached by two stud buttons and silk button hooks. The edges of the jacket around the bottom and the end of the sleeves have are trimmed with 3.2cm of brown fabric. Above the brown trim is decorative white embroidery that runs along the brown fabric. Above that are decorative flat diamond shaped metal studs that follow the same route as the trimming and embroidery. There are five silk button hooks on the proper left front panel and three on the right. The studs on the reverse are also arranged in the centre and the rest cover the back. There are four silk button hooks on each side of the back (left and right).

b (the skirt): The skirt consists of two large panels attached by a horizontal band of faric. The panels are covered in metal studs starting 17.8cm from the top of the panel. The studs are arranged in a circular pattern in the centre of each panel. The brown fabric, white embroidery and flat diamond shaped studs line the hem around both panels. The horizontal band is a different fabric than the silk panels.

c (armpit protector): It is green silk with bronze studs. It is trimmed with black fabric and flat diamond shaped studs.

d (helmet): The metal helmet is 67.5cm in diameter at its widest and 28cm high from the base of the metal helmet to the tip of the cylinder. Attached to the metal helmet by bronze studs are three silk panels with bronze studs and brown velvet trim. The panels on the left and right of the helmet are 27cm long and 25.2cm wide. Attached to the brown trim is embroidered ribon that follows the trim around the edges. On the left and right panels are a large metal ornament 4.7x4.7cm on either side. Attached to the back of the side panels are ties 20.1cm long. The rim of the metal helmet is adorned with engravings of vegetal and dragon motifs. Attached to the helmet are four metal pieces. On the front and back this vertical pieces have a series of spikes and on the left and right side of the helmet, the pieces are curved inwards towards the main helmet piece. On either side of the helmet are two large glass beads. The helmet is capped by an engraved piece with floral and dragon motifs. Out the very top is an engraved thin cylinder.

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