Back to projects page © Royal Armouries, Leeds	17th century Tibetan horse armour Client : The Royal Armouries, Leeds
	These armours are very difficult to date as lamellar armours of this type were used in central Asia from about the 6thC A.D. until the 17thC. The suit of armour was reputedly given to Sir Charles Bell K.C.I.E. C.M.G. by the Dalai Lama in 1910, at Darjeeling, during his flight from Lhasa. The suit was later donated to the Royal Armouries and is now on display in Leeds. The suit comprises: head stall composed of small steel squares studded with bosses on a leather foundation. Neck guard, laquered and gilt leather studded with steel bosses. Four panels of body scale-armour,composed of rows of overlapping steel laminations strung on white leather thongs; border of Chinese silk brocade; double inner border of laquered and gilt leather with edging of steel bosses. Fringed below with yak's hair dyed red and streamers of Chinese plain and figured silks. Lined with coarse cotton. Crupper guard, laquered and gilt leather, triple edging of steel bosses, border of Chinese silk brocade, coarse cotton lining. Treatment The main problems to be dealt with were (a) the results of a very extensive insect infestation (no longer active) which had caused structural damage to the textile,hair and leather elements and left considerable debris; (b) structural damage to the textiles caused by a cleaning treatment to the metal elements; and (c) an inappropriate old adhesive restoration. Treatment largely involved mechanical cleaning, carried out manually and with vacuum tweezers; followed by stitched supports to the Chinese silk brocade and streamers, and adhesive support to lifting elements of (original) adhered textile. The multi-layered nature of the object together with the variety of protein-based material (leather, hair, silk) in its construction had made it particularly attractive to insects. It was fumigated by the Royal Armouries prior to treatment and cleaning in between layers, underneath lamellar plates and so on was achieved with the aid of a torch and none of the original construction was removed. A panel of body scale-armour after conservation © Emma Telford	© Royal Armouries, Leeds In a previous treatment dollops of dark brown adhesive had been used to stick the silk to the cotton lining. This had caused discolouration, embrittlement of the fibres and stiffening; however it did separate from the lining relatively easily and no attempt was made to remove the adhesive from the textile due to its composite nature(silk, paper, metal thread) and its weak conditon which woulld have deteriorated if worked at with a solvent. A lightweight silk habotai was used as support material for most of the work. This was dyed a mid-blue colour for the borders, and appropriate matching colours in green, red and yellow for the streamers. A panel of body scale-armour, left image before, right image after conservation © Emma Telford Evaluation The armour is now in a stable condition, able to be mounted on display without danger of further loss, although the textile elements are not strong. Its presentation in a display case with controlled lighting and environment should ensure its safety and protection from handling by visitors. Whilst visually the object is improved as a result of cleaning and support, and its aesthetic integrity and purpose as a highly decorative piece of armour restored, the treatment has focussed on essential works in preparation for safe display and is largely conservative.