200 Chinese Clay Figures 



(Plate XVIII), which is much later than the two others shown and pre- 

 sumably no older than the T'ang period, has a helmet with hood, on 

 which rows of scales are outlined in ink. A cape of tiger-skin envelops 

 his shoulders. He wears a necklace and jewelry with floral designs on his 

 chest. His coat is girdled; and a shirt of mail, presumably plate mail, l 

 is emerging from beneath it. In his left hand, which is perforated, he 

 seems to have seized a spear or sword. 2 A rectangular bag, which pos- 

 sibly serves for the storage of his paraphernalia, is attached to the belt 

 on his left-hand side. The wearing of a coat over the armor is character- 

 istic of the T'ang period; and the artistic, though conventional, modelling 

 of the face would seem to point to the same epoch. 



In general, the conditions of defensive armor, as encountered in the 

 archaic epoch of China, show a striking coincidence with those found in 

 other ancient and primitive culture-groups of Asia, and those still alive 

 in primitive societies. On the whole, the military equipment of the 

 ancient Chinese in principle agrees, for instance, granted the difference 

 of material, with that of the Scythians as described by Strabo (VII, 

 3), who states that they used raw ox-hide helmets and cuirasses, wicker 

 shields, spears, bows, and swords. 



1 See Chapter V. 



2 Presumably one of wood, which has decayed under ground. 



