25 stunning pieces of armor from throughout history

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Historically, armor has served as a critical component in the survival and success of warriors on the battlefield.

Beyond its practical purpose of protection, armor has also been a powerful symbol of status.

From the intricate mail of medieval knights to the ornate armor of the samurai, each piece tells a unique story about the era, culture, and individual warrior it was crafted for.

Armor of King Henry VIII of England, c. 1544 AD. It was from later in his life when he was overweight with gout.

Armor of Ottoman Sultan Mustafa

Detail of the Hercules armor of the Emperor Maximilian II of Austria. Made in 1555, it’s now on display at the Kunsthistorisches museum in Vienna

Polish Armor composed of 1,074 plates, 16th century.

Armor of an Officer of the Imperial Palace Guard, Chinese, 18th century

Breastplate Armor of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor, 1549.

Armor made for Albert, Duke of Prussia, Germany 1526

Kaiser Maximilian II’s Armor (1557). Housed at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna

Gauntlet of “Lion” armor of Henry II, king of France, 1550.

“Hercules” armor of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II, 1555.

Armor of King Henry III of France (1551-1589), from The Louvre.

Kunz Lochner, Armor of Nicholas “The Black” Radziwill

Armor of chain and plates. The Philippines, Mindanao, 1639

A full set of Japanese samurai armor (Yoroi) complete with Menpō(face mask)

Hercules Armor Of The Emperor Maximilian II Of Austria, c. 1555

Italian Infantry Armor, 1571

Parade Armor Of Erik XIV Of Sweden, c. 1562.

16. Cuirassier’s Armor In Savoyard Style (c. 1600-1610)

Maximilian I’s Frog-Mouth Helmet

Bearded Parade Helmet Of Charles V

Anton Peffenhauser, Gauntlet from a tournament garniture of a Hapsburg prince, Germany 1560–1590

The Golden Gauntlet, Henri III of France’s armor, c.1550

Armored Gauntlets owned by the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, from 1508 until his death in 1519.

Right Gauntlet for King Philip of Spain (1527-1598)