Shield from India

[Peter Hudson]

It appears to be the invincible Durga The Goddess... with anything up to 18 arms a formidable warrior indeed... I noted; Durga is nearly always shown either mounting or taming a lion or a tiger. The elegant beasts that symbolize strength and victory are there to represent Durga’s inner power and fierceness. https://www.yogapedia.com/goddess-du...-force/2/11758

I QUOTE" In each of her many hands, Durga is shown as carrying a weapon. The weaponry she carries to slay demons is symbolic, representing a certain quality, type of energy, or specific power.

As the number of arms Durga is depicted with varies, the weaponry she carries varies as well, but the most significant object she’s always depicted with are:

The Sudarshan-Chakra (a discus symbolizing her rule over the world)
The conch shell (a representation of the mystic word Om)
The lotus (not fully in bloom, it symbolizes the promise of success that has not yet been achieved)
A sword (symbolizing the sharpness of her mind)
Bow and arrow (symbol for energy and control)
A thunderbolt (symbolizing the power of her will)." UNQUOTE.

[mahratt]

Originally Posted by Peter Hudson

It appears to be the invincible Durga The Goddess... with anything up to 18 arms a formidable warrior indeed... I noted; Durga is nearly always shown either mounting or taming a lion or a tiger. The elegant beasts that symbolize strength and victory are there to represent Durga’s inner power and fierceness. https://www.yogapedia.com/goddess-du...-force/2/11758

I QUOTE" In each of her many hands, Durga is shown as carrying a weapon. The weaponry she carries to slay demons is symbolic, representing a certain quality, type of energy, or specific power.

As the number of arms Durga is depicted with varies, the weaponry she carries varies as well, but the most significant object she’s always depicted with are:

The Sudarshan-Chakra (a discus symbolizing her rule over the world)
The conch shell (a representation of the mystic word Om)
The lotus (not fully in bloom, it symbolizes the promise of success that has not yet been achieved)
A sword (symbolizing the sharpness of her mind)
Bow and arrow (symbol for energy and control)
A thunderbolt (symbolizing the power of her will)." UNQUOTE.

Thank you Peter!

Very interesting

[drac2k]

Could we see the inside of the shield?

[Jim McDougall]

This is an attractive shield , and its impressive decoration, as very well explained by Peter, illustrates the pantheon and key figures in much of Indian religious belief. As not well versed in the various dynamics of Hinduism or the other Faith's associated I defer on elaborating further, but Peter has already covered the themes of these panels.

Clearly this is a commemorative and ceremonial type piece which is from what is sometimes referred to as the 'durbar period' in the British Raj, and would extend from late 1870s well into 1900s. The most influential were the three Delhi Durbars of 1877, 1903 and 1911. These were essentially formal meetings in the princely states where the ruler's court and British administrators met and discussed matters of state, along with celebratory events and ceremony.

At these events there were many attendees of course, including many British and other foreign people so vendors and artisans assembled in large bazaar type venues where their wares would be sold.In many cases, the offerings were a kind of 'showing off' of the artisan's skills, often to impress as well as obviously the sales. There were of course various degrees of quality which depended on the vendors.

[ariel]

The durbars were even more than just bazaars. Rajas were preparing for them and acquired impressive retinues armed with impressive weapons ( mostly newly made) , wearing impressive garb etc. This was something resembling Oscars ceremony in which all attendees did their best to impress everybody on the " Red Carpet". We often see enormous unwieldable teghas with bronze/brass decorations from those celebratory gatherings. Bragging parties, in short.
The owner of this shield wanted to show his military might. Other similar shields had full pantheons of divine personalities.

[mahratt]

Many thanks to everyone for opinions!

[Gustav]

As Interested Party noted, the mounts (vehicles) - Vahana - are very helpful for indentification of Indian deities:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vahana