This Turkish armour is a departure from
our usual European styles. This style of armour has been called pot lid
armour in the west. In Russia where the style was common it was called
a Zertsalo. But in Turkey it was called a Zug. Its roots are deep. Byzantine
armour was its inspiration and thus it is essentially stylized late Roman
armour. The body armour is essentially a Cingulum Militair made from plates
and chain mail.
The helmet is clearly descended from
the human faced spangenhelms that were so common in late roman armies.
This armour was made for equestrian use
so the ring was chosen for the top of the pointed helm as horses tend
to deliberately rub them selves on armour to scratch themselves.
The visor is removable.
The cingulum militair was, in the Roman
army, Their version of web gear. Culturally Rome believed that waist belts
were unhealthy so the belt went around the chest. Shoulder straps hung
well below the belt and gear was hung on the pendent straps. The service
record was essentially worn on the belt in the form of medallions. The
large medallion in the center front showing unit and others showing rank
and campaign history. In this late version the medallions have been enlarged
to make up the whole armour and the leather replaced with chain mail.
Winged shields were commonly used with
this style armour. This armour is intended for use in jousting so its
shield has been set up for the Blankenshield jousting shield system. The
decoration, in suite with the armour consists of a calligraphic anagram
and a split rhoumy leaf. Both traditional Turkish motifs in metal working.
The calligraphic anagram here is taken from a mid sixteenth century Turkish
medicine case cover. The calligraphic anagram on the breast plate is surrounded
by a palmet. Also a common Turkish motif.
The armour for the limbs consists of
Bazu bands for the arms and leg armour in a style used also in a lot of
polish and Hungarian armour. With split rhoumy leaves and palmets on the
knees.
