Cuirass (Chair-a'ina)

Iranian

Not on view

The Persian term char-a'ina (“four mirrors”) refers to the four plates that compose this type of cuirass. The engraved decoration consists of traditional genre scenes, including those of war, hunting, and leisure. The inscriptions include a verse by the Persian poet Sa'di (ca. 1213–1292) from his Gulistan (Rose Garden) and another that refers specifically to the armor: “Four mirrors are good for the hero’s back, and no one should ever see the back of a hero.”

Cuirass (Chair-a'ina), Steel, copper alloy, textile (velvet), Iranian

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Cuirass (Chair-a'ina), Steel, copper alloy, textile (velvet), Iranian
Cuirass (Chair-a'ina), Steel, copper alloy, textile (velvet), Iranian
Cuirass (Chair-a'ina), Steel, copper alloy, textile (velvet), Iranian
Cuirass (Chair-a'ina), Steel, copper alloy, textile (velvet), Iranian
Cuirass (Chair-a'ina), Steel, copper alloy, textile (velvet), Iranian

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