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Mail Shirt

16th century or later
Not on view
Each ring of this mail shirt is stamped with the same Arabic inscription, “Allah, Muhammad, 'Ali, Fatima, Hasan, Husayn,” referring to God, Muhammad, and the Prophet’s immediate family, known as the “people of the cloak,” who the Shi'a consider the holy family of Islam. Worn close to the warrior’s body, their names had a talismanic value, offering spiritual as well as corporeal protection.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Mail Shirt
  • Date: 16th century or later
  • Culture: possibly Iranian
  • Medium: Iron
  • Dimensions: H. 31 7/8 in. (81.0 cm); W. 54 in. (137.0 cm); W. of chest 15 11/16 in. (40.0 cm); Diam. (outside) of body links 9/16 in. (14.3 mm); Diam. (inside) of body links 13/32 in. (10.2 mm); Diam. (outside) of solid collar links 15/32 in. (12.2 mm); Diam. (inside) of solid collar links 11/32 in. (8.9 mm); Diam. (outside) of riveted collar links 13/32 in. (10.2 mm); Diam. (inside) of riveted collar links 3/16 in. (5.1 mm); Wt. 12 lb. 4 oz. (5562.0 g)
  • Classification: Mail
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Bashford Dean, in memory of Alexander McMillan Welch, 1949
  • Object Number: 49.120.4
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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Mail Shirt with Inscribed Rings, Iron, copper alloy, possibly Iranian
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Indian, Sindh (now Pakistan)
late 18th–first half of the 19th century
Mail Shirt, Iron, copper alloys, leather, Indian or Iranian
Mail Shirt
Indian or Iranian
dated A.H. 1232/1816–17 CE

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