first half 17th century
India
Object qualities
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Objectarmor: Shield
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Type of arts & crafts
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MediumWood, leather, lacquer, gold, pigment, gesso, copper alloy, iron
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SizeDiam. 19 in. (48.3 cm); D. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); Wt. 2 lb. 16 oz. (1352 g)
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Geography detailsDecorated in
India -
Country today
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Datefirst half 17th century
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Cultureprobably Indian; lacquerwork, Southeast Asian, Thailand or Burma (Myanmar)
Source of information
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Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
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Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
Description
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This shield was probably fabricated in India, lacquered in Southeast Asia, then exported to Europe. It would have been prized as a European type of luxury item made in Asia with local techniques and materials. The black lacquer is emblazoned with an unidentified coat of arms featuring a gold lion on a red field below a helmet with foliate mantling, all encircled by a wide band of ornamental floral scrolls.
Reconstructions of this ornament