Chahar aina
Category
Arms and armour
Date
1700
Materials
gold, steel & textile
Measurements
235 mm (H); 190 mm (W); 4 mm (D)
Order this imageCollection
Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire
NT 107207
Summary
A breastplate (chahar aina) from India, probably dating from the Moghul period. One of two in the collection that would have been part of four breastplates connected by the four buckles at each corner, the word "char aina" is Persian and means 'four mirrors'. There is a central decorative panel which has a geometric design containing Arabic script in gold inlay, the text on the char aina is from the Qur'an and protects the wearer. Surrounding the script there is a chiselled motif of grape vines and birds and there are traces of giltwork around the border of the panel. There is also a border of punched holes and trefoil patterning where the steel has been folded back on itself. On the reverse of the breastplate there is a lining of textile; a yellow floral pattern on a dark green background. 'A portion of Cuirass of steel damascened with gold - Indian (Old Mogul)' (Christie's entry)
Provenance
Purchased in 1986 by the National Heritage Memorial Fund from Francis Curzon, 3rd Viscount Scarsdale (1924-2000). Gifted to the National Trust in 1987 by the National Heritage Memorial Fund.
Marks and inscriptions
Arabic inscription in the centre of the breastplate