This soldier, shield and armour were all found in separate locations in the sixth or seventh-century Buddhist Ming-oi shrines near Gaochang. They formed part of a frieze of stucco sculptures of soldiers, presumably defending the Dharma — the true teaching of Buddha. They had been fastened to the wall on a wooden framework and were painted, the armour — which may depict metal scales — in red and green.
Stucco with traces of pigment and wood
The British Museum,
MAS.1061 (Mi.xii.0010)
MAS.1065 (Mi.xii.0015/0017)