Rare Indian Shield
 

Indian shield. Probably the early 19th century.

I have a Katar with similar koftgari.

The shield may be wootz...

You guessed it, Marius.

Shield of wootz.

Yes, Marius could be right, that the shield may be of wootz.
What are the 'nails' at the edge of the shield?
Is the decoration inlay or koftgari?

I have a katar, Rajput North India 18th century, with more or less the same floral decoration, but as floral decoration in many variations/combinations have been used over a very long period, this does not mean much.

Hi Mahratt,
I think 18 century.
I'm sure it's from wootz, it would be worth trying an etching.
Kurt

Thank you, Kurt!

The collector, from whom I bought this shield, also said that it was the 18th century.
But I decided that it was made a little later.

For dealers and collectors end of 19th c. means 1900

so i guess that early 19th c. means late 18th c.
:)

From the photos the decoration is clearly koftgari.

1. If it is wootz, then most certainly is 18th century up to worst case scenario early 19th century.

2. The paddings may be and most likely is later, 19c replacements.

Now, how do you know it is wootz? Can you discern the watering?
If yes, then I would definitely try etching the whole shield (not easy task).
If not, then I would try etching the whole shield anyhow to give it the natural aged patination.

Definitely a very nice piece! Thank you for sharinng!