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Collections

Leg guard (greave) (one of two)15th century

Not on view
Metal knife or dagger sheath with dark brown patina, covered in fine engraved scrolling floral decoration highlighted with copper or gold-toned inlay, arranged in horizontal registers
Metal knife scabbard with worn brown patina, decorated with gold inlaid geometric and floral patterns along the edges and a raised foliate design on the cylindrical throat.
Steel arm guard with silver-inlaid arabesques and interlaced floral scrollwork on a darkened, finely textured surface; central cartouche encloses Arabic calligraphy beneath a scalloped arch; riveted mail panels attached along both sides.
Title
Leg guard (greave) (one of two)
Place Made
Iran
Date Made
15th century
Medium
Steel with silver inlay and traces of gilding
Dimensions
17 1/2 x 4 13/16 in. (44.45 x 12.22 cm)
Credit Line
The Nasli M. Heeramaneck Collection, gift of Joan Palevsky
Accession Number
M.73.5.729.7
Classification
Arms and Armor
Collecting Area
Art of the Middle East: Islamic
Curatorial Notes

This leg guard and a second example (M.73.5.729.8, not a matched pair) were worn only by a horseman as they protected just the outer sides of his legs; the inner sides would have been pressed against his steed. The inscriptions on both include incomplete and anonymous titulature. Related elements of armor likely made in northwestern Iran in the late fifteenth century include a shirt of mail and plate (M.73.5.729.1) and a helmet (M.73.5.323). It is not possible to know if the elements were ever used together.

Selected Bibliography
  • Çakir Phillip, Filiz. "A Reflection on Armour of Then and Now." In Iranian Art from the Sasanians to the Islamic Republic: Essays in Honour of Linda Komaroff, edited by Sheila S. Blair, Jonathan M. Bloom and Sandra S. Williams. Edinburgh University Press, 2024.