Dastana (Vambrace)

This vambrace is part of a pair with 1959.199.B. The vambrace consists of two parts. The first is a large, curved plate, made of steel, which was meant to protect the outside of the forearm. The plate is decorated with a thick border comprised of flowers and geometric forms executed in gold false-damascening. At the top, center of the plate is an embossed shape decorated with arabesques and flowers in gold false-damascening. At the bottom center is an embossed “eye” shape. The bottom of the plate has a thin band of textile with nails that would have held the gauntlet to the plate. The second part is a smaller, curved plate intended to protect the inside of the wrist. The center of this plate is undecorated, but is surrounded by a thick border comprised of flowers and geometric forms executed in gold false-damascening. The bottom of the plate has a thin band of textile with nails that would have held the gauntlet to the plate. The top also features this band. The plates are missing the interior lining.