Warrior Women

Japanese armour or domaru, Nambu, Japan, 16th century

The armour was presented to King James VI and I in 1613 as a gift from the Shogun Tokugawa Hidetada, by Captain Saris of the East India Company.

Elephant armour or bargustavan-i-pil, South Asia 17th to 18th century

This armour was probably made around the 17th century, but it is difficult to say exactly where or for whom. The plate and mail structure was most widely used in northern and central India, particularly in Muslim states. However, the peacock, lotus bloom and fish motifs embossed on the larger panels may indicate it was made or used in an area which maintained at least some frameworks of Hindu belief and reference.

Armour for a boy, probably Henry Prince of Wales, Netherlands, about 1607

The armour is decorated with the story of the campaigns of Alexander the Great, and was presented as a gift in 1608 to the eldest son of James I, Prince Henry, who died in 1612 at the age of 18.

Armour of King James II by Richard Holden, London, England 1686

This harquebusier armour by the London armourer Richard Holden was made for King James II of England and VII of Scotland in 1686 following the 'Monmouth Rebellion'.

Portrait of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V by Peter Paul Rubens, Belgium 1603-5

The portrait was probably painted in about 1603-5 during Rubens's first visit to the Spanish Court of King Phillip II, son of Charles and his successor to the Spanish throne.

Helmet and Cuirass (Peti)

Body armour (peti) comprising a helmet and cuirass, associated with the royal arsenal of Tipu Sultan at Seringapatam. South Asia (Mysore), late 18th century.

Burgonet, Augsburg, Germany, about 1600

The helmet's delicate decoration of embossed designs featuring bunches of fruit and flowers, interspersed with birds and insects and fire-gilded copper panels in the form of a variety of Classical figures and trophies of arms, made it unsuitable to be worn on the battlefield. Instead it was designed for parades and other ceremonial occasions where its beauty proclaimed the power, wealth and culture of the wearer. 

The "Lyle" bascinet

Late 14th century bascinet with 'houndskull' visor and aventail. The helmet comes from the armoury of Churburg at Schluderns in the Italian Tirol (called Castel Coira in Italian), which contains the most important medieval armoury still in private hands, and is rich in examples of early plate armour.

Winged gilded lion of St Mark

Set in traditional pose with right paw resting on an open book of the Gospel, pages inscribed 'PAX TIBI MARCE EVANGELISTA MEVS' ('Peace be with thee O Mark my evangelist') Its eyes are raised heavenwards, and its head is surrounded by an iron halo.

"Aliens" movie prop

M-41A Pulse Rifle made for the film 'Aliens' (1986) and refurbished for the sequel 'Alien 3' (1992), Britain, 1986. 

Presentation pair

A presentation pair of Colt model 1861 Navy revolvers in a fitted brass bound mahogany case lined with red velvet. The back strap bears the inscription: "To Mark Firth Esq. from President Colt's PFM Co". 

Flintlock Muzzle-Loading Sporting Gun by James Low About 1620

Probably made for Charles I, as Prince of Wales.

Axe Head (Tabar) dated 1650 with chiselled inscription

On either side of the blade is a chiselled cratouche containing and inscription in Arabic.

Dagger Axe (GE) and Scabbard 

An axe head of bronze with a lacquered wooden scabbard painted with swirling, smoke-like depictions of running animals, birds, and men armed with spears. From the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC).