Central Asia, Pakistan and northern India, Mughal, ca. 19th century CE. A lovely etched steel shield known as a dhal, a form of buckler, or small shield, with red velvet lining the interior and forming a pair of handles. The rounded shield is hammered into a slightly concave shape, the domed face contains four hemispherical bosses. The surface etched with encircling registers of tigers and lions hunting prey, and a man's crowned face set in the center. The dhal shield originated in India and the design spread to Persia and the places in between the two, modern day Pakistan and Afghanistan. These were ceremonial, rather than practical- like this shield with the velvet handles that are pleasant to grip but certainly not sturdy enough for rigorous use! Size: 12.6" Diameter (32 cm)

Provenance: private Ventura County, California, USA collection

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#174089

Tearing to velvet lining and loose along edges as shown. Russet patina and oxidation to surfaces and dark toning. Motifs on face are sharp and discernable.