Middle East/Near East, Medieval/Crusade period, possibly Mamluk, ca. 11th to 12th century CE. A large shield boss, also known as an umbo, made of hammered and stamped bronze, with four drilled holes around the edge that allowed attachment via rivets to the larger part of a shield. The surface is decorated with an incised border and a stippled motif on the raised part of the boss. Islamic armies during the Crusades used round shields with a boss like this one in the middle, a style that persisted into the 17th century. These shields were usually domed, and were constructed of iron, steel, bronze, leather, cane, wood, and even turtle shell and crocodile hide! Iron/steel and cane shields, known as kalkans, were the most common. Size: 8.25" W x 2.5" H (21 cm x 6.4 cm)

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#138481

Light bending to form. Dark patina on surface with nice details shining through.