Arms and armour are often perceived through the narrow lens of warfare, seen primarily as tools of combat and defence.
However, their significance transcends the battlefield, serving as powerful symbols that resonate deeply within the cultural,
social, and political contexts of various societies. From North Africa to Southeast Asia, ceremonial arms and armour were
items of prestige that played multifaceted roles, extending far beyond their practical use in war. 

‘Might and Magnificence: Ceremonial Arms and Armour Across Cultures’ is an unprecedented exhibition, which includes
nearly 200 examples of ceremonial arms and armour, spanning geographies, cultures, communities, religions, histories, and
time periods. It demonstrates the importance and multifarious roles that these objects played, from markers of status to
instruments of worship.

The exhibition features rare and exceptional pieces from esteemed private and local public collections, with significant loans
from the renowned Mengdiexuan Collection and R&J Collection. Collectively, these works highlight the enduring significance
of arms and armour beyond the battlefield, weaving connections across diverse regions and cultures through shared
traditions, legends, and histories. 

Standing as a powerful tribute to the extraordinary craftsmanship, technical expertise, and innovative design that these
objects embody, the exhibition is divided into four major sections. The first serves as an introduction to the concept of
ceremonial arms and armour, discussing how these objects contrasted from their martial counterparts. The second section of
the exhibition serves as a visual glossary, showcasing decorative techniques through a diverse array of ceremonial weapons.
The third section is divided into seven geographical subsections: Turkey and the Caucasus, North Africa and the Arabian
Peninsula, India and Sri Lanka, the Himalayan regions, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. The fourth and final section of the exhibition,
entitled ‘Looking East’, examines the reciprocal impact that trade, conquest, and colonialism had on the production of
both Eastern and Western ceremonial arms and armour.

Moreover, emphasising a cross-disciplinary approach, this exhibition showcases how art, technology, and science interact
through interdepartmental collaborations at the City University of Hong Kong on the study of ceremonial arms and armour
across regions. Through the immersive experience, interactive media, metaverse, and moving images, as well as the
application of algorithms in media art, and the scientific studies using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) on selected
arms and Multispectral Imaging (MSI) studies on military portrait paintings, this exhibition uniquely combines art, science,
and technology. 

This groundbreaking exhibition reveals the true essence of ceremonial arms and armour, showcasing them not merely as
functional objects but also as profound symbols of cultural, social, and political identity. These objects, meticulously crafted
and richly adorned, are living embodiments that tell stories spanning continents and centuries, connecting diverse societies
through shared traditions of artistry, spirituality, and diplomacy. They embody the duality of function and beauty, serving
both as tools of war and as symbols of power, status, and spiritual significance. This exhibition invites us to view these
extraordinary objects through the lenses of art, science, and technology as enduring symbols of identity, beauty,
and human creativity.

Kastane and scabbard Sri Lanka; 18th–19th century Steel, ruby, gilt copper, amber, sapphire Mengdiexuan Collection	Kris and sheath Indonesia, Java; 19th century Steel, gold, gilt copper, precious and semi-precious gemstones, wood Mengdiexuan Collection

Khanjar (dagger)  Iran; Safavid period (1501–1736), early 18th century Steel, iron, gold Mengdiexuan Collection	Khet kuga (trousse) with f lint striker  Mongolia; 19th–20th century Steel, wood, ivory, silver, coral  Mengdiexuan Collection

Vambraces (arm guards) Tibet; Qing dynasty (1644–1911), 18th–19th century Iron, gold Mengdiexuan Collection	Dagger and sheath  Tibet; 19th century Steel, gilt copper, ivory, copper ally, wood, pigment, tassel  Mengdiexuan Collection