Late Tang Heavy Armor 唐末重盔甲

Late Tang sculpture of a warrior encased in mountain scale armor but with distinctive Tang dynasty helmet with cheek guards. The very iconic Souzi- or as they are known in the west: "mountain scale armors" appeared around the late Tang dynasty from the middle of the 9th century. In general, the cavalries of China became more heavily armored as the various provinces of the fragmented Tang dynasty began to take up arms (mainly against each other.) Protection and supremacy became vital to the warriors fighting comparable foes from the neighboring provinces. After the fall of the Tang, China would be plunged into nearly a full century of civil war which lasted over 7 decades.

A late Tang commander in mountain scale armor. The armor blended many elements of the Mingguang armor into the new design such as neck guard collars, jutting animal motifs and breastplates. The officer carries a Tang era straight single edged long sword (Tang Dao.) Such armors were very colorful to behold and usually featured silk frills and tassels of many colors.

Tang dynasty officer's saber, or "Tang Dao," 唐刀, silver inlays, lacquered scabbard and occasionally shagreen or ray skin wrap around the handle. The blade would be either straight or curved (always curved for the cavalry) and often only has one sided tip.

By late Tang and early Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, most of the heaviest elements of China's armed forces would be provided with mountain scale armor.

Late Tang/ Song Dynasty temple statues depicting the celestial guardians encased entirely in mountain scale armor. Generals and warlords would have frequently wore such elaborate armors (without the flowing silk ribbons of course.)

TOPICS: Tang Military Overview, Tang Dynasty Cavalry, Tang Imperial Guards, Tang Tiger Crown Troops, 
UNITS: Tang Imperial Officer, Tiger Crown Cavalry, Tang Imperial Guards, Tang Heavy Cavalry