Indian shield "dhal" for comment

[thinreadline]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Impressive collection, thinreadline, thanks for posting. I especially like the dhal with the tiger decoration. Can you classify them into different areas/peoples etc ? I presume you have been collecting for some time...

Regards.

Thank you Colin. I have collected for a long time but am no expert. Even in books and museum collections attributions as to origin often contradict one another , and this is simply a testament to the movement of arms and armour over centuries . The small translucent hide dhal seen on the top left of the first photo shows Sindian style in its bosses which are typically in the form of 9 petalled flowers as seen from underneath. The turtle shell dhal is probably central west India . The large black hide dhal seen on the top right of the first pic is a common type found throughout India . Some dhals are somewhat flat but others tending towards the conical are associated with the Deccan . The shield with the roebuck horns is called a madu ( or maru ) and was used for parrying. Sometimes the horns are replaced with blades.