Context: Knights and Fate

This object is a sculpture that originates from Hadramawt–Ancient South Arabia–and depicts a warrior draped in armour from head to toe. This sculpture is carved into calcite, which appears in the image as a browned white, with stripes of dark brown running diagonally through the center. The armoured warrior is wearing a helmet that is paired with a coif, which altogether covers the head completely while leaving the face visible. The warrior is also equipped with full-body armour, likely either composed of chainmail or scale. They are wearing gauntlets which are visible only in their right arm, while holding an oblong shield in their right hand. Most notably, this warrior is also riding a stallion that is–like the warrior–draped in cloth armour with lined patterns along the bottom seam. The horse is in a position of coming to a halt or just beginning to start a gallop, whereby the front two legs are in the air and the hind legs are stationary. Beside this knight is also a footman, with less armour and less prominence. This sculpture is relevant to the ayniyyah, as it ends with a glorious fight between two knights clad entirely with armour.