The Coloring Book of Armor - Pierre Terjanian

The Coloring Book of Armor showcases a remarkable selection of armor in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, giving artists of all ages the opportunity to explore a wide range of designs from a variety of countries.Initially developed for an eminently practical purpose - to protect the wearer from injury - armor may take the form of body coverings or objects held in the hand. Any material that can serve as a hard shell or cushion was put to use; not just metal, but also bone, leather, and even silk. Armor also fulfilled other functions. When decorated with magical or religious symbols and texts, it could invoke the powerful assistance of outside forces, including gods. Should it fail to deflect harm, it would at least help to save one''s soul. When featuring the emblems of a community or a leader, it fostered a sense of belonging. When made of or decorated with precious metals, it denoted rank and resources. Popular motifs included flowers and leaves, birds, winged lions, and geometric patterns. Armor made for horses was effective at evoking the anatomy of mythical beasts such as dragons, thus instilling fear in the enemy. There are more than 30 line drawings for coloring, including a dragon-shaped shaffron (horse''s head armor) used in tournaments by the future Henry II of France; the highly decorative suit of armor worn by George Clifford, a favorite of Elizabeth I of England; a 17th-century Japanese helmet in the shape of a sea conch; distinctive armor of chai
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