"Turban" helmets are so-called from similarities to the traditional headdress of Turkish men. Chain mail, protecting the neck and face, was attached to holes on the lower edges. Surfaces could be decorated by vertical fluting and etched patterns of scrolls and floral motifs.For the latest information about this object, helmets, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
This is a reconstructed portion of a full suit of armor that a Turkish soldier would have worn into battle. The chain mail that links the circular breast- and backplates to the steel plates at the sides and shoulders would have continued down over the warrior's forearms and connected with plate coverings that provided further protection from elbow to wrist. (The leather straps are modern replacements for sections of mail.) The soldier also might have been equipped with plate leg guards or with a long skirt or trousers made of mail and reinforced with additional steel plates.
The decoration of the plates features floral motifs, Arabic inscriptions (on the back) and interlaced patterns-decorative elements used throughout the history of Islamic art.For the latest information about this object, body armor, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Ottoman DynastyInscriptions: Reign: Style:
The Turkish arms and armor collected during the 1500s and 1600s in Habsburg circles were either trophies of a feared enemy or diplomatic gifts. They reflected efforts to repel the invasions of Europe by successive sultans of the Ottoman dynasty, who, as caliphs-successors of the prophet Muhammad as leaders of Islam-considered themselves obliged to wage holy wars against non-Muslims. The Ottoman Empire, with its capital at Constantinople (present-day Istanbul, Turkey), reached its height as a world power during the reign of Suleiman I the Magnificent (r. 1520-66) whose European incursions reached as far as Vienna. The Habsburgs led the defense of Christian Europe: the Spanish branch, at sea and in North Africa, and the Austrian branch, on land, with a decisive victory in 1683 at Vienna.For the latest information about this object, body armor, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
This is part of the so-called "Turkish Hunting Set" consisting of the Ottoman gun (Walters 51.84) and various accessories contained within a large Parisian case (Walters 64.165).
The dagger fits inside a compartment in the butt of the gun. The steel blade is false damascened with gold wire, a technique called "koftgari", to create foliate patterns and two partly legible Turkish couplet inscriptions. Two long sections of the blade are cut through, so that the middle section stands free and ends in a triangular leaf shaped section studded with gems. The grip, guard, and pommel are gilded silver, set emeralds and rubies, and engraved with abstract designs.
For the latest information about this object, daggers, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Ottoman DynastyInscriptions: [Transcription] 2 partly legible Turkish coupletsReign: Style:
This dagger, or "jambiya", is decorated with a floral pattern in a half-medallion.For the latest information about this object, jambiya; daggers (weapons), visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Mughal DynastyInscriptions: Reign: Style:
Elephant drivers controlled an elephant’s movements by using the goad’s sharp point to prick the delicate skin behind the animal’s ear. Indian elephant trainers have used tools like this one to manage their animals for thousands of years. The handle of this example depicts a tiger either consuming or vomiting a "makara," a mythical sea creature and a common motif throughout South Asia.For the latest information about this object, agricultural equipment; goads, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
This helmet is engraved with floral patterns and arabesques.For the latest information about this object, helmets, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Ottoman DynastyInscriptions: Reign: Style:
"Turban" helmets are so-called from similarities to the traditional headdress of Turkish men. Chain mail, protecting the neck and face, was attached to holes on the lower edges. Surfaces could be decorated by vertical fluting and etched patterns of scrolls and floral motifs.For the latest information about this object, helmets, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style: