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Mail Shirt

probably early 16th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 379
This is a rare and beautifully preserved mail shirt of the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century. Many of the rings are stamped with concentric circles, a feature found on mail shirts with both Mamluk and Iranian associations.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Mail Shirt
  • Date: probably early 16th century
  • Culture: Syrian or Turkish
  • Medium: Steel, copper alloy
  • Dimensions: L. 33 1/8 in. (84.0 cm); W. 52 in. (132.0 cm); Wt. 21 lb. 12 oz. (9869 g)
  • Classification: Mail
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Frederick Townsend Martin, 1914
  • Object Number: 14.99.28
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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