Chinese people will soon have a taste of chivalric art and culture in Beijing when weaponry from the Royal Armoury Museum in Madrid goes on display from Oct. 29 to Jan.6, 2008 as part of the "Year of Spanish Culture".

A total of 150 items will be on display, representing the historic development of chivalric culture and the role it played in Spanish history.

The exhibition entitled “Art and Chivalry in Spain, the Royal Armoury of Madrid” opened in the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City, bringing a collection of Madrid’s Royal Armoury’s masterpieces to Asia for the first time. Chinese audiences can see an array of 150 pieces from the Royal Armoury of Madrid’s Royal Palace collection. The collections weaponry, made during the 15th and the 20th centuries, actually comes from a diverse selection of European countries. Although they were only commissioned by and sent to the Spain’s Royal Household, they represent the evolution of European art during this period.

The exhibition is divided into seven sections, including the Spanish and European cavalry’s ideal, the Royal Armoury of Madrid, art and courtesan life during the Renaissance, hunting as a pastime and military training, weaponry and diplomacy, the splendor of the Baroque period up to the Contemporary Age, and the concept of China throughout the history of the Royal Collections.

The 150 pieces of cultural relics include full-length and bust armors, horse armors, helmets, shields, swords, firelocks, saddles, and others.

Arranged chronologically, visitors might find that the shape and style of the armors change with their function. The full-length armors for the kings are always forged by master artisans with each detail presented with great care. Patterns are embossed on the material and each piece is connected with flexibility. The pair designed for commemoration purpose is light and handy, emphasizing the decorative feature of the design. The equipment guarding the body against fire appears thick and strong in the neck and chest. The skirt-style armor, which imitates the flared skirt, is for infantryman.