Conserving a Piece of Islamic Armor

Join Met conservator Sean Belair as he discusses his role at the Museum and shares details from the conservation of an Islamic mail shirt made up of 12,000 inscribed rings.

May 9, 2021

13 min. watch

Join Met conservator Sean Belair as he discusses his role at the Museum and shares details from the conservation of an Islamic mail shirt made up of 12,000 inscribed rings.

Please note: At 2:15, Sean Belair misspoke in saying mail armor was invented in central Asia; it was invented in central Europe.

Art Mentioned

Mail Shirt, Iron alloy, copper alloy (latten), copper, brass, Persian — Mail Shirt
Persian
ca. 1500–1600

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