Detail of lamellar armour and helmet, about 18th century, XXVIA.106. Royal Armouries, CC BY 4.0

 

This is an excellent example of the method of constructing lamellar armour, and how it works to protect the wearer. It demonstrates an armour-making technique used across Asia for over a thousand years and is associated in particular with cavalry soldiers such as mounted archers. The rows of carefully laced, overlapping plates create a tough, flexible armour which helps to deflect and absorb the impact of arrows.

 

This image is part of our Up Close online exhibition, which was made possible with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to use digital to enable our audiences to explore our collection in new and exciting ways.