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Mail Shirt
Possibly Indian or Bhutanese, 17th–19th century
Iron, leather, textile
H. 35½ in. (90.2 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art,
Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935 (36.25.27)
cat. no. 40

This mail shirt is a good example of the type used not only in Tibet but also in Bhutan, Nepal, and Sikkim that is made of alternating rows of riveted and solid iron rings and has a characteristic upright fabric-lined collar. The collar is made separately from the rest of the shirt and is attached by a thin leather lace. It is reinforced and made to stand upright by having a thicker leather thong laced through every other row.

all text & images © Metropolitan Museum of Art


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