Ceremonial Armor

Unknown

18th century · Steel, copper, gold, silk, metallic thread · Arms and Armor

This armor, undoubtedly for a high-ranking military official, is exhibited with an associated helmet decorated with applied gold ornaments. These include the Buddhist mantra Om mani padme hum in Lantsa characters, which were often used for sacred inscriptions and texts in Tibet, China, and other Buddhist countries. The armor and helmet are very similar to a set donated by the Qinglong emperor to a Tibetan monastery in 1757.

Artist

Unknown

Date

18th century

Medium

Steel, copper, gold, silk, metallic thread

Culture

Chinese

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

helmet: Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935; body armor: Gift of Lai-Yuan and Co., 1916; sword with scabbard: The Collection of Giovanni P. Morosini, presented by his daughter Giulia, 1932; spear: Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935