Record

Collection	ABDUA University of Aberdeen, Human Culture Collection
Object Name	Breast Plate
	Cuirass
	Body Armour
Object Number	ABDUA:59050
Other Number	H99+4
Other Number Type	old number
Period	19th - 20th Century?
Brief Description	Breastplate (cuirass) made of horizontal sections of iron riveted together, and edges finished in leather binding. The breastplate is open at the right side and at the right shoulder, so as to allow for ease of wearing, and then would be laced together with leather ties. The iron appears to have a silver finish (tin?), which can be seen on the reverse of the garment. The leather bindings have been padded underneath using what appears to be a type of light brown jute fabric. This style of cuirass was typical of that used by the Sheikh of Bornu's guards during the Kanem-Bornu Empire. The breastplate would have been worn with a padded 'lifida' jacket over the top for added protection.
Dimensions	H: 463 x W: 352 x B: 215mm
Materials	Metal, iron, tin (?)leather, jute (?)
Condition	Fair
Completeness	Incomplete
Completeness Note	Missing some of the leather straps used to lace up the side of the breastplate.
Maker	Kanem-Bornu/ Borno Empire or Fulani People?
Place Key	Africa, West Africa, Nigeria, Fulani Country (sic: Northern Nigeria, Yobe State?)
Field Collector	Burnett, Sir Charles Stuart. (KCB, CBE, DSO)
Object History Note	Slip catalogue entry reads 'Cuirasse in metal bound with leather (probably Turkish).'
Aquisition Source	Burnett, Lady Sibyl. M. (Barra Castle, Oldmeldrum)
Aquisition Date	17/05/1948

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