Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

katana · 19th September 2008, 07:23 PM

I have seen a late 19thC photograph of a tribesman wearing, what appeared to be a brass or bronze / leather gorget. Although this would be mainly protection for the neck, it also helped protect the lower jaw area. whether the gorget was a local invention or a copy of colonial influences I do not know. But as armour declined in Europe the wearing of a gorget (which became more of a stylised 'adornment') was a sign of prestige amongst officers......perhaps this was more to do with why the tribesman was wearing a 'copy'. More a symbol of power than armour

Regards David

19th September 2008, 07:23 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	I have seen a late 19thC photograph of a tribesman wearing, what appeared to be a brass or bronze / leather gorget. Although this would be mainly protection for the neck, it also helped protect the lower jaw area. whether the gorget was a local invention or a copy of colonial influences I do not know. But as armour declined in Europe the wearing of a gorget (which became more of a stylised 'adornment') was a sign of prestige amongst officers......perhaps this was more to do with why the tribesman was wearing a 'copy'. More a symbol of power than armour Regards David