Middle Eastern Style Shield

Middle Eastern Style Shield

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This is one of a large group of shields decorated in a Middle Eastern style and thought to have been made for the bodyguard of Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, prince-archbishop of Salzburg (reigned 1587–1612).

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.