STEEL – An alloy of iron, carbon (ca. less than 2.11% carbon content), and other elements. Due to their strength and pliability, iron and steel were particularly suited for producing weapons and armour. As in mediaeval and modern Europe, the countries of the Near East used steel to produce other products – whether purely utilitarian or decorative. Iron and ferrous alloys were used to make harnesses, locks, mounts, manufacturing tools, medical devices, writing instruments and more. In the Islamic Golden Age, the importance of iron was comparable to that of precious metals. Products could be formed quite simply with regard to function; nevertheless, if the object was held by an important owner and intended to represent his property and power, it was opulently shaped or decorated using a variety of techniques. This was particularly the case for weapons and armour, which were not only produced for battle, but also emphasised the social status of the owner. In later centuries, traditional armour and blade weapons lost their functionality and became items of prestige or ornamentation. In late periods, steel was used in Iran to also produce decorative objects, as can be seen in the steel figurines from nineteenth century Iran. (JMl)