Artwork preview

Shoulder or Knee Defense

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The object is a curved, shield-like piece of armor. It has a rough, rusted brown color on the outside edges and rows of small, shiny, silver metal scales on the surface. The scales are shaped like half-moons and are arranged in vertical rows. There are 9 visible rows of scales. The scales appear to be attached to a brown fabric or leather backing. The top of the object has a small, curved protrusion. The background of the image is a gradient gray color.

Artwork Details

Date
probably 15th–17th century
Medium
Leather, iron
Culture
Tibetan or Mongolian
Dimensions
600 × 600 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette