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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: AUCKLAND,NEW ZEALAND
Posts: 624
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Description: THREE RAJASTHANI LEATHER SHIELDS each of circular form and studded with soft metal prunts, one with red painted highlights - Diameter (range): 14-16 in. (3)
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: England
Posts: 373
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Superb, I've always wanted one of those
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 189
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Thank you for sharing these with us Bandook!
Incredibly handsome pieces, especially the highlighted example. Would it be possible to share the "interior" of the shields with us? It might help novices like myself spot what to look for when hunting an original example! Are there any other indicators which would help with dating, etc? Also, what features denote that these examples are "RAJASTHANI" in origin? Kind regards, Chris |
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#4 |
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: AUCKLAND,NEW ZEALAND
Posts: 624
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hi chris,wil post pictures soon,these are coming to me next week from USA,then will answer all your queries
kind regards |
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#5 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: England
Posts: 373
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sounds good, looking forward to seeing the pictures and reading the info
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#6 | |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 189
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Looking forward to learning more about these. I hope your customs men are more lenient than ours here in the UK! Kind regards, Chris |
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#7 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: AUCKLAND,NEW ZEALAND
Posts: 624
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hi chris
will have to pay the 15% gst on cost plus shipping,wont be able to escacpe that,just shipping thru fedex has cost me $275 from usa,cheers |
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#8 | |
Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,896
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An excellent question Chris! Actually the 'Rajasthani' designation is a bit cavalier in my view, when attempting to classify these outstanding examples of Indian 'dhal' (shield). However, in degree in does work as this quite large area of the Indian subcontinent probably did account for good proportion of these as well as many forms of arms and armour. I believe the assumption might have been set by the dhal with the distinctive crescent above the four bosses. This device is typically representative of the Chandravanshi clan of Rajputs ( E.Jaiwent Paul, p121) which were one of the major lineages of these warrior tribes. The reference to Rajputs typically presumes Rajasthan, though they were in power in other regions outside that geographic designation. The other examples are typical of a wide range of areas as well, and the one which is purely hide without other adornment except the four bosses resembles one shown in "Oriental Armour" (Robinson, plate XXI, D) as Mahratta 18th c. It should be noted that the 'Mahratta' designation also could be broadly interpreted to the Maratha castes and Empire (1674-1820) which also extended into Rajasthani regions. The point is that it is very difficult to classify Indian arms by region, much as by specific period, however these seem with good age and character. The Rajput example shows interesting integrity with what appears a working life replacement of one of the radiating backs on one of the bosses which is smaller than the others. Excellent examples, and I would love to see them amidst a array of tulwars and other Indian arms! |
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#9 | |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: AUCKLAND,NEW ZEALAND
Posts: 624
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#10 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 189
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My apologies for not getting back to you sooner. Many thanks indeed for sharing these further images with us, very interesting to see three together, both sharing common features, and also exhibiting different ones. I am very pleased they have arrived safely, and have lived up to your expectations! Once I find a dhal to call my own I shall post it up here! Kind regards, Chris |
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#11 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 189
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Many thanks indeed for another detailed response. The muddy waters become a little clearer each day. The information about the crescent moon is most useful, as it is a symbol I see with some frequency on such shields, and of course on many kukri. The "Rajput connection" is obviously a very significant one! The condition of the pieces is very pleasing, given their apparent age, I shall have to try and hunt out a good one for myself (let alone three!) Kind regards, Chris |
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#12 | |
Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,896
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You are most welcome Chris! The muddy waters analogy is well understood, as someone who has splashed around in them for more decades than can be defined ![]() Your note on the occurrence of these crescents on kukri in many cases is of course well placed with the Rajput heritage in Nepal, and I had entirely forgotten that, as also noted by Bandook. Bandook, thank you as well for the response to my post, very much my pleasure! |
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#13 | |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 584
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Thanks for sharing your shield photos they look great makes me envious. I only have one hide shield my others are brass, my shield is a 19th C one from Ahmedabad in Gujerat and is about 20,5 ins dia and not as convex as your examples. What is interesting, as you can see from the photos, is that a part of the mane or tail was retained by whoever made it. Thanks again for sharing and I hope you enjoy my photos. Miguel |
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#14 |
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: St. Louis, MO area.
Posts: 1,623
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Hi Miguel.
Now THAT is a unique shield. Beautiful multi-colored decoration and detailed bosses. And the tail! That's great!! Maybe water buffalo ? Do you have pics of the reverse side of the shield? Thanks for posting. Rick. |
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#15 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: AUCKLAND,NEW ZEALAND
Posts: 624
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HI RICK,NICE SHIELD AM SURE THE GOLD COLOUR HAS
FADED WITH TIME,GOOD PATINA,HAVE YOU USED ANYTHING TO PRESERVE IT,LIKE BEESWAX ETC,CHEERS |
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#16 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: AUCKLAND,NEW ZEALAND
Posts: 624
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MIGUEL THATS AN AMAZING SHIELD VERY UNIQUE,MUST BE FOX OR WOLF TAIL WHICH IS USED AS A TALISMAN,CHEERS
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#17 | |
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 584
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Thanks you may well be right I never thought of it like that. If it is as you suggest I don't know how it is attached as the tail is attached almost to the centre of the decorated circle and really looks as though it is part of the beast the shield was from. Miguel |
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#18 | |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 584
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Glad you like it, I have no photos of the inside but will take some and try to show you tomorrow. Regards Miguel |
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#19 | |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 584
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I replied to you yesterday but it seems to have gone astray. Here are the pics you requested. Miguel |
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