Standing Shield
Shields of this exceptionally large size and weight (50 lb. [23 kg]) were propped on the ground to form a wall that protected archers and infantrymen. This shield comes from the arsenal of the town of Erfurt and is painted with the coat of arms of that city and its dependencies Vieselbach, Kapellendorf, and Vargula. It presumably was made after 1385, when the archbishop of Erfurt acquired suzerainty over the town of Vargula, but before 1387, when the coat of arms was again augmented. The holes in the surface were made by crossbow bolts and by bullets.
Artwork Details
- Title: Standing Shield
- Date: 1385–87
- Geography: Erfurt
- Culture: German, Erfurt
- Medium: Wood, leather, gesso, silver foil, gold lacquer, polychromy, iron
- Dimensions: H. 69 1/2 in. (176.53 cm); W. 32 1/2 in. (82.55 cm); Wt. 50 lb. (22.68 kg)
- Classification: Shields
- Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1922
- Object Number: 22.148
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
German, Erfurt
probably early 14th century
On loan to The Met
European, possibly Germany
ca. 1100
Sword Pommel with the Arms of Pierre de Dreux (ca. 1187–1250), Duke of Brittany and Earl of Richmond
French
ca. 1240–50
On loan to The Met
European
late 12th–early 13th century
On loan to The Met
German
ca. 1100–1200
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.