TWO NORTH INDIAN KOFTGARI STEEL BREASTPLATES Mughal India, the breastplates 17th - 18th century; the acid-etched calligraphic decoration 19th century Comprising two rectangular steel breastplates, the borders engraved with a continuous vegetal scrollwork of lush split palmette tendrils heightened in koftgari work , the centre of each plate with an arabesque medallion with tendrils reaching to other four quartered arabesques, the once-plain four rectangular sections amidst the vegetal decoration embellished with later-added acid-etched calligraphic inscriptions of auspicious and benedictory nature, the back plain with copper nails, each 30.5cm x 23.2cm.