Shield (Sipar)

late 18th–19th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 380

Shields of this type were used by infantry and cavalry across Iran and India. Eight cartouches contain verses from the preface to the Persian poet Sa‘di’s Gulistan (The Rose Garden), written in 1258, demonstrating that apotropaic inscriptions were derived from a variety of sources, including poetry and prose. The choice of inscription suggests that the shield’s creator, rather than its owner, was asking for blessings, indicating that armorers and artisans were also active participants in the talismanic process.

Artwork Details

Title: Shield (Sipar)
Date: late 18th–19th century
Culture: Persian
Medium: Steel, gold, velvet, iron
Dimensions: Diam. 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm); D. 1 3/4 in. (4.5 cm); Wt. 2 lb. 7.3 oz. (1114 g)
Classification: Shields
Credit Line: The Collection of Giovanni P. Morosini, presented by his daughter Giulia, 1932
Object Number: 32.75.295
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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