New guy

[katana]

Hi nKante, welcome to the forum.

Many of the Benin Bronzes I have seen, depict their warriors wearing what appears to be a breast plate, helmet and a 'wrap around skirt'. Few with the scale type armour. But perhaps these are 'ceremonial' wear.
Scale armour has been used extensively by many cultures, although the scales tended to be manufactured from metal. I am wondering whether 'later' Benin pangolin scale armour was in fact bronze.

Heres some info on Pangolin Scales and armour...


They are the only known mammal to possess scales. It is said this armour of scales can deflect a bullet from a .303 rifle fired from 100m. The scales are highly sought after and thought to be one of the most powerful mutis (tribal medicine) amongst some tribes.

Below, is a picture of Armour housed at the Royal Armouries, Leeds.

Legend reads:
Scale coat
Indian, Rajasthan, early 19th century
This coat has been covered with the scales of the pangolin or scaly anteater (Manis crassicaudata). The scales have been decorated in gold, and the larger have been used where more protection is required. This is the only known example of this type of armour. It originally had a helmet, also made of pangolin scales, with three plumes.
The scale coat was presented to the King George III in 1820 by Francis Rawdon, 1st Marquis of Hastinges (1754-1826), who was the East India Company's Governor General in Bengal, 1812-22.