Tournament Shield (Targe)

German

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 307

Shields of this shape were inspired by Hungarian light-cavalry shields and were adopted in Germany and Austria for the Hussarisch Turnier (tournament in Hungarian-style costume). The German motto around the owl reads in translation, "Although I am the hated bird, I rather enjoy that." Below this are the quartered arms of the Tänzl and Rindscheit families, which were united by marriage in 1499.

Tournament Shield (Targe), Wood, burlap, leather, gesso, polychromy, German

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