Research on the Manufacturing Process and Restoration of a Brigandine of the Ming Dynasty – A Case Study of the Brigandine Exhibited in Hangzhou Arts and Crafts Museum

Abstract

The Ming brigandine was a suit of armour with riveted plates concealed inside the cloth cover, which is different from the armour of previous dynasties, which strung the plates with one plate overlapping another. With the Ming brigandine in Hangzhou Arts and Crafts Museum as an example, the author explored the manufacturing process of the Ming brigandine and conducted a restoration study of it, from which the superiority of the brigandine’s manufacturing process and the scale production of Ming armour were summarised and discussed.

Keywords:

• China
• Ming
• brigandine
• manufacturing process
• restoration
• production

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the collector Mr. Huangfu Jiang皇甫江, Ms. Zhang Lu张璐 of Hangzhou Arts and Crafts Museum, Mr. Guo Zhiyong郭志勇 and Mr. Lu Bin 逯斌 of Shanxi Museum, and Mr. Hu Jingming琥璟明 for their support and assistance in the measurement, drawing and restoration of the brigandine.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Hangzhou Arts and Crafts Museum, a museum complex featuring the craftsmanship of knives, scissors, swords, fans, and umbrellas, hereinafter referred to as ‘HACM’.

2 Qing Shilu: Gaozong Chunhuangdi Shilu (The Memoir of Emperor Gaozong of Qing Dynasty) 清实录·高宗纯皇帝实录 (Beijing: Zhonghua Shuju, 2012), vol. 526, p. 15235. The book recorded that ‘In the twenty-first year of the Qianlong Reign, it was decreed that all previous armour with iron plates, cloth cover and embroidery should be changed to silk cover with external rivets, and all iron plates and embroidery should be removed.’ indicating that the armour plates had been removed from the new style of armour after the twenty-first year of the Qianlong Reign.

3 Zhu Guozhen 朱国祯, Yongzhuang Xiaopin 涌幢小品 (A Minuscule Book about Institution, Economy, Science and Technology in Ming Dynasty) (Shanghai: Shanghai Guji Chubanshe, 2012), p. 79.

4 Tang Shunzhi唐顺之, Wu Bian III 武编(三) (Treatise on Military Affairs III) (Guangzhou: Guangzhou Chubanshe, 2003), vol. 5, p. 223.

5 Yang Kuan杨宽, Zhongguo Gudai Yetie Jishu Fazhanshi中国古代冶铁技术发展史 (History of Iron Smelting Technology in Ancient China) (Shanghai: Shanghai Renmin Chubanshe, 1982), p. 265.

6 Mao Yuanyi茅元仪, Wu Bei Zhi武备志 (Treatise of Military Preparedness) (Beijing: Guojia Tushuguan Chubanshe, 2013), book 3, vol. 105, p. 312.

7 Cheng Ziyi程子懿, Wubei Yaolue武备要略 (Principle Outlines of Military Preparedness) (N.p.: n.p., 1632), vol. 9, p. 331.

8 Shen Kuo沈括, Meng Xi Bi Tan梦溪笔谈 (Brush Talks from Dream Brook) (Beijing: Zhonghua Shuju, 2009), p. 164.

9 Tang Shunzhi唐顺之, p. 241.

10 Ma Wensheng马文升, Ma Duansu Zouyi 马端肃奏议 (Collection of Memorial to the Throne of Ma Wensheng), vol. 8, p. 154, in Si Ku Quan Shu (Complete Library in the Four Branches of Literature).

11 This idea was inspired by Mr. Hu Jingming琥璟明.

12 Ming Xizong Shilu 明熹宗实录 (The Memoir of Emperor Xizong of Ming Dynasty) (Beijing: National Beiping Library, n.p.), vol. 15, p. 761.

13 Hua Yue华岳, Cuiwei Xiansheng Beizhenglu 翠微先生北征录 (Cuiwei’s Notes on the Expedition to the North) (Haikou: Hainan Guoji Xinwen Chuban Zhongxin; Chengcheng Wenhua Chuban Youxian Gongsi, 1995), p. 60.

14 Shen Shixing et al.申时行等, Ming Hui Dian 明会典 (Collected Statutes of the Ming Dynasty) (Beijing: Zhonghua Shuju, 1988), vol. 192, p. 970.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Chunyu Li

Li Chunyu is a doctoral candidate at the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology. Her research direction is traditional Chinese costume culture.

Fang Chen

Chen Fang is a professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Arts of Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology. Her research directions include ancient Chinese costumes and material culture.

Correspondence to Chen Fang. Email: [email protected]