Artwork preview

Pair of Leg Defenses (Greaves)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Pair of leg defenses, also known as greaves, made of intricately designed metal. The greaves are long and curved, covering the shin area, with a wide top that tapers down. They are made of dark metal, likely steel or iron, with a predominantly dark brown color and lighter brown accents. The surface features intricate etchings and engravings with a mix of curved and geometric patterns. The top section of each greave has a decorative border with Arabic calligraphy. There are strips of chainmail hanging from the sides and bottom, made of small, interlocking metal rings. The greaves are symmetrical, with the left and right pieces being mirror images of each other. A small piece of chainmail is positioned between them. The background is plain white.

Artwork details

Date:
late 15th–early 16th century
Medium:
Steel, iron, silver, gold, tin, leather
Culture:
Turkish, Istanbul (?)
Dimensions:
599 × 470 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette