Supposedly the only Byzantine illustration of shoulder tufts mentioned in Leo VI's Tactica is Digenis (Diogenes) Akritas fights the dragon, 12th century plate (http://www.warfare.altervista.org/12/Digenis_Akritas_fights_the_dragon.htm)
(http://forums.totalwar.org/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=11978&d=1390547738)
Other depictions of Diogenes Akritas: Digenis Akritas slays the dragon with five arrows (http://www.warfare.altervista.org/12/Digenis_Akritas_slays_the_dragon.htm) and Digenis Akritas saves a princess abandoned in the desert (http://www.warfare.altervista.org/12/Digenis_Akritas_saves_a_princess.htm)
Shoulder tufts are also worn by warriors on the Orlat Battle Plaque, early Sarmation (Kangju (K'ang-kiu) or Yuezhi)) or Hun (Tashtyk, 'White Huns' - the Hephthalites) (http://www.warfare.altervista.org/Ancient/Orlat_battle_plaque.htm)
Sogdian ruler with shoulder tufts, on a Mortuary Couch, Northern Qi dynasty, A.D. 550-577 (http://www.warfare.altervista.org/Persia/Sogdian_Mortuary_Couch-MFA-left-centre_detail.htm)
Are there other ancient depictions of warriors with shoulder tufts? I can't remember if I have seen them on Chinese soldiers.
MIRROR SITES
Orlat Battle Plaque, early Sarmation (Kangju (K'ang-kiu) or Yuezhi)) or Hun (Tashtyk, 'White Huns' - the Hephthalites) (http://www.warfare.meximas.com/Ancient/Orlat_battle_plaque.htm)
Sogdian ruler with shoulder tufts, on a Mortuary Couch, Northern Qi dynasty, A.D. 550-577 (http://www.warfare.meximas.com/Persia/Sogdian_Mortuary_Couch-MFA-left-centre_detail.htm)
Digenis (Diogenes) Akritas fights the dragon (http://www.warfare.meximas.com/12/Digenis_Akritas_fights_the_dragon.htm)
Druzhina
Byzantine Illustrations of Costume and Soldiers (http://www.warfare.altervista.org/Byzantine.htm)
Why would they wear those! :o
Great find D ;)
:-\
Cheers - Phil
Sasanian illustrations with possible shoulder tufts:
Shapur with shoulder tufts in the centre scene of Sassanid Rock Relief at Firuzabad in 224 AD (http://www.warfare.altervista.org/Persia/Firuzabad.htm)
A Sassanid Cameo of Shapur I vanquishing Emperor Valerian, 260 AD (http://www.warfare.altervista.org/Persia/Sasanian_Cameo_of_Shapur_and_Valerian.htm)
Cup of Khusrau I, Detail of King, Sassanid, 6th century (http://www.warfare.altervista.org/Persia/Sasanian_Cup_of_Khusrau_I.htm)
A Sassanid Oval Bowl with Enthronement Scene, 7th Century AD (http://www.warfare.altervista.org/Persia/Sasanian_Oval_Bowl_with_Enthronement_Scene-large.htm)
Druzhina
Persian Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers (http://www.warfare.altervista.org/Persia/Persia.htm)
Quote from: mad lemmey on 16 September 2015, 07:50:36 AM
Why would they wear those! :o
Great find D ;)
Start asking that question about uniforms and you'll be in for a lonnnnggggggg session.
Quote from: mad lemmey on 16 September 2015, 07:50:36 AM
Why would they wear those! :o
Great find D ;)
...because they look cool when matched with the conical helmet? All the intimidation of a three-pronged attack without the risk of self-decapitation that a rigid, spiked shoulder-pad would engender?
There are some coins of Khingila, Alchon Huns, (Hepthalite dynasty), 5th century AD, with fly-whisk shoulder tufts (http://www.warfare.altervista.org/Ancient/Khingila.htm). The clearest images are Khingila silver drachm, Alchon Hun, Göbl 61 (http://www.warfare.altervista.org/Ancient/Khingila-G61-lg.htm) and Khingila silver drachm, Alchon Hun, a variant of Göbl 70 (http://www.warfare.altervista.org/Ancient/Khingila-G70var-lg.htm)
Druzhina
Ancient Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers (http://www.warfare.altervista.org/Ancient/Ancient.htm)
Nice one D
Shoulder tufts see to have been a feature of expensive Chinese armours under the Song and Ming. Here's a Ming example from the "Departure Herald" scroll.
(http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w277/lz7947/Historic%20Mini/20080328_4f37dd8741e80d764bedGXLBUs.jpg)
Nice one Clib!
It's all about attracting totty! ;)
Much like the tail of a peacock or the fins of a guppy: the larger and more elaborate your shoulder tufts, the more rivals will be impressed and/or cowed AND the more ladies will want to spend quality time with you! :> :x B)
Cheers!
Meirion
Quote from: clibinarium on 02 October 2015, 12:53:54 PM
Shoulder tufts see to have been a feature of expensive Chinese armours under the Song and Ming. Here's a Ming example from the "Departure Herald" scroll.
Thanks clibinarium,
Druzhina
Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers (http://www.warfare.altervista.org/index.htm)