<em>Suit of Armor (Helmet and Coat)</em>, 18th–19th century. Silver, gilt-copper, leather, lacquer, nephrite jade, suede, silk brocade, horsehair, fur, velvet, helmet: 27 in. (68.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 22.1971a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, X957.2a_front_PS9.jpg)

Suit of Armor (Helmet and Coat), 18th–19th century. Silver, gilt-copper, leather, lacquer, nephrite jade, suede, silk brocade, horsehair, fur, velvet, helmet: 27 in. (68.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 22.1971a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, X957.2a_front_PS9.jpg)

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Tell me more

This is a ceremonial uniform from the Joseon Dynasty that was worn by soldiers during special occasions like parades!

Even though it wouldn't have been worn in battle the numerous metal studs recreate the studs that were used to attach protective plates to the interior of functional armor.

What is this coat made out of?

The red is silk pile; the brown trim around the neck and arms is otter fur; the gold studs are made from copper; and the whole jacket is stuffed with cotton to make it warm.

Tell me more.

This ceremonial uniform is similar to those worn by ceremonial palace guards in Seoul today. The numerous metal studs recreate the studs that were used to attach protective plates to the interior of functional armor. The fine materials of this coat and helmet indicate they were more for show.

Tell me more.

This uniform would have been worn by a high ranking member of the military for ceremonial occasions. It isn't actually armored, but the numerous metal studs recreate the way that armor plates would be attached to the inside of actual battle dress.

The carved jade dragon at the forehead is unusual in this type of helmet and indicates that this uniform belonged to an especially high ranking individual, likely a member of the royal family.

Tell me more.

This helmet is part of the ceremonial military uniform that officials would have worn in the late 19th century and that the ceremonial palace guards in Seoul wear today!

You'll notice a carved jade dragon in the center of the forehead of the helmet which is quite unusual and indicates that this uniform belonged to an especially high ranking individual.

Dragons were symbols of the king and heaven. When combined with the phoenix, as they are on this helmet, the phoenix became a symbol of the queen.

What is this armor's origin?

This is a ceremonial military uniform that would have been worn by a high-ranking official during the Joseon dynasty (late 19th century) in Korea.

It was purchased by a New York designer from a shop in Seoul and later acquired by a Brooklyn Museum curator, Stewart Culin, in 1922.

Thank you.

Suit of Armor (Helmet and Coat)

Asian Art

MEDIUM Silver, gilt-copper, leather, lacquer, nephrite jade, suede, silk brocade, horsehair, fur, velvet

Place Made: Korea

DATES 18th–19th century

DYNASTY Joseon Dynasty

DIMENSIONS helmet: 27 in. (68.6 cm) bowl of helmet: 10 in. (25.4 cm) neckguards of helmet: 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm) crest of helmet: 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm) coat: 42 x 49 in. (106.7 x 124.5 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Asian Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 22.1971a-b

CREDIT LINE Museum Collection Fund

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Suit of Armor (Helmet and Coat), 18th–19th century. Silver, gilt-copper, leather, lacquer, nephrite jade, suede, silk brocade, horsehair, fur, velvet, helmet: 27 in. (68.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 22.1971a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, X957.2a_front_PS9.jpg)

IMAGE front, X957.2a_front_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2014

"CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.

RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.

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Not every record you will find here is complete. More information is available for some works than for others, and some entries have been updated more recently. Records are frequently reviewed and revised, and we welcome any additional information you might have.

Download our app and ask your own questions during your visit. Here are some that others have asked.

Tell me more

This is a ceremonial uniform from the Joseon Dynasty that was worn by soldiers during special occasions like parades!

Even though it wouldn't have been worn in battle the numerous metal studs recreate the studs that were used to attach protective plates to the interior of functional armor.

What is this coat made out of?

The red is silk pile; the brown trim around the neck and arms is otter fur; the gold studs are made from copper; and the whole jacket is stuffed with cotton to make it warm.

Tell me more.

The carved jade dragon at the forehead is unusual in this type of helmet and indicates that this uniform belonged to an especially high ranking individual, likely a member of the royal family.

Tell me more.

This helmet is part of the ceremonial military uniform that officials would have worn in the late 19th century and that the ceremonial palace guards in Seoul wear today!

You'll notice a carved jade dragon in the center of the forehead of the helmet which is quite unusual and indicates that this uniform belonged to an especially high ranking individual.

Dragons were symbols of the king and heaven. When combined with the phoenix, as they are on this helmet, the phoenix became a symbol of the queen.

What is this armor's origin?

This is a ceremonial military uniform that would have been worn by a high-ranking official during the Joseon dynasty (late 19th century) in Korea.

It was purchased by a New York designer from a shop in Seoul and later acquired by a Brooklyn Museum curator, Stewart Culin, in 1922.

Thank you.