Mirror armour

The Char Aina ( Persian font: چهارآينه (where " آينه " for mirrors and " چهار " stands for four), Persian, Indian " four levels " ) is a suit of armor from India, Persia and Nepal.

Description

The Char Aina is made of steel and brass and the body consists of four little custom plates. The plates are a front and a back piece, as well as one plate of the left and right side of the body. On both side tanks clippings are attached to the shoulders. The steel plates that make up the items are, edged with a border of ornate brass. The plates are secured to each other by means of leather straps and buckles or by means of hinges with removable pins. There are also instances in which the breast plate is divided by a five test hinged and opens like a vest. Two wide leather straps serve as a carrying strap on the shoulders. The plates were worn over a chain shirt or they are integrated directly into the chain armor. In some specimens the plate edges abut, but do not overlap, in other instances, the plates are narrower and so the chain mail underneath will be visible. In general, the plate edges are rounded. Padding was glued or sewn to the inside.

There's this Panzerart in different versions that vary in processing and ornament.

Nepalese Char Aina

A version that also differs in shape, is the Nepalese Char Aina, consisting of circular plates that are not edged with brass. The components of this Char Aina are also connected with leather straps. However, these are placed between the plates crosswise.

The Char Aina was widespread throughout India and Persia and was usually associated with Bracers ( Bazu band ), and Greaves, chain mail and a helmet ( Kulah Khud ) worn.