Art Institute of Chicago

Mail Shirt

Western European; probably German

Date

1550/75

Medium

Steel, iron, and brass

Culture

Germany

Department

Applied Arts of Europe

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Tailored to fit a sizable man, this mail shirt has heavier rings placed strategically to protect the neck and chest. The form-fitting sleeves billow out over the elbow to increase mobility. Shirts like this could have been used for fencing practice or worn for protection from bandits or assassins while traveling.

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