105
82
90
86
116
141
135
143
68
146
332
62
76
83
354
139
77
103
137
142
147
140
63
117
94
125
69
70
92
71
67
78
145
136
128
111
131
343
75
110
106
89
132
88
108
134
118
87
322
119
100
126
95
122
133
79
382
113
127
85
91
72
130
129
121
65
84
228
229
73
314
315
124
81
120
101
123
138
115
93
385
112
Char-aina (1915.48.77)
IndiaChar-aina from India, Asia. Collector not known. Lent to the Museum by the Board of Trustees of the Armouries in 1915.
This cuirass (body armour) is known as a char-aina after the Persian term meaning 'four mirrors'. It consists of four, hinged plates that wrap round the body and are held in place by shoulder straps.
This example is from Udaipur in North India and probably dates to the late 18th or early 19th century. Its colour scheme of gold and red are typical of the Hindu Rajputs. However, the floral damascened (engraved and inlaid) decoration on the border reflects the Moghul influence on Indian arts. The cuirass is accompanied by a matching pair of vambraces (arm guards), also damascened and padded with red velvet.