Mail Shirt

Unknown

16th century or later · Iron · Arms and Armor

Each ring of this mail shirt is stamped with the same Arabic inscription, “Allah, Muhammad, 'Ali, Fatima, Hasan, Husayn,” referring to God, Muhammad, and the Prophet’s immediate family, known as the “people of the cloak,” who the Shi'a consider the holy family of Islam. Worn close to the warrior’s body, their names had a talismanic value, offering spiritual as well as corporeal protection.

Artist

Unknown

Date

16th century or later

Medium

Iron

Culture

possibly Iranian

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. Bashford Dean, in memory of Alexander McMillan Welch, 1949