Problems of attribution of plate armor from the collection of the Alava Museum of Arms, Spain (on the question of scaly shells in the west of the medieval Ecumene, X–XIII centuries)

Abstract

In the article the scale armour from Museode Armeríade Álava collection is explored. Among the specialists it is considered to be the earliest Medieval European scale armour of 10-13 centuries. After the comparison of the scale armor fragments in Europe, on the Balkans (the fragments there belong to Byzantine armory circle) and Middle East the author puts into question its background and dating. To wide the search circle the explorer pays attention on two ceremonial armour sets. One from Museode lEjército of Toledo and the second from The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The breast plates of both sets have the same construction and decoration to the breast plate from Museo de Armeríade Álava. At the same time the set from Museo del Ejército of Toledo attribution that is given at the official museum site as the armour of Mexican Indian chief of the Conquest period is considered to be absolutely incorrect by the author of the article. Because iron as the material for local metallurgical industry of the period was simple unknown and unavailable for metalwork. The attribution of the second set from The Metropolitan Museum of Art that is given at the official museum site seams much more probable. The American specialists attribute it as Chinese and date 18tht c. Based on it the author comes to the conclusion that the breast plate from Museo de Armería de Álava has nothing to European Medieval period and can be attributed as Chinese ceremonial armour set of 18th c.