16th century round shield

[Lee]

My heavy ("shot proof") example is not lined, at least in its present state. While the pictures of the reverse may suggest leather, this is hard partially delaminated iron, confirmed to be such with a magnet.

Thank you for your insights into how it would have been carried.

[Victrix]

I bought this book for Christmas. I have not read it yet but it looks promising. In case you are interested in bucklers and shields. Not sure how I rotate the pics…

[Triarii]

Originally Posted by Lee

My heavy ("shot proof") example is not lined, at least in its present state. While the pictures of the reverse may suggest leather, this is hard partially delaminated iron, confirmed to be such with a magnet.

Thank you for your insights into how it would have been carried.

Ah, sorry, that should have been asked of Marcus.

[Marcus den toom]

Originally Posted by Triarii

Ah, sorry, that should have been asked of Marcus.

Hi Triarii,

My own shield does have remnants of leather lining around the shield rim which sugest a possible cover on the whole of the inside.
The other pictures i posted do have shields were this original lining is still present. It seems it even has some sort of animal fur (wool or some other animal hide)?

[Triarii]

Hi Marcus, I thought it looked like a wool padding poking through. Rare survivor.

[Triarii]

Coming back to this, I've been looking at paintings and they invariably show fringing. Sometimes on the front edge and sometimes on the rear.
Lots in Teniers guardroom paintings, with a green fringe, but this may be the same props turning up in multiple paintings.
Consensus, as far as I can discern, is its decoration, and HEMA experience says it stops blades sliding up off the edge at the user.
First: Otto van der Waeyen in Polish costume 1656.
Second: Rodeleros fighting during the Siege of Hulst 1596. Detail from a Flemish tapestry
Third: Met Museum.