Dagger (Bichuwa) Indian, Thanjavur 17th century

The permanent collection of the Department of Arms and Armor is one of the most encyclopedic in the world. To highlight the ongoing development of the collection’s multicultural and interdisciplinary nature, this exhibition focuses on approximately forty works from Europe, the United States, Japan, India, and Tibet acquired between 2003 and 2014. Beyond the well-established categories of finely decorated armor, edged weapons, and firearms, the selection features drawings and prints, textiles, and other materials that are vital, but often unrecognized, aspects of the understanding and appreciation of arms and armor as a universal art form.

Works on paper, textiles, and other select pieces will be rotated two to three times during the course of the exhibition.