ticketsMember | Make a donation

Shield (Dhàl)

early 19th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 380
Thick hide, dried and stiffened, may be the oldest material used by humans for personal defense. This shield, a type wielded by hunters throughout the Indian subcontinent, features hide shaped into a shallow dome and fitted with gilt and jeweled raised ornamentation. The maker skillfully lacquered the uncured skin to help preserve it. Surprisingly, the shield is translucent and glows warmly when held to the light.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Shield (Dhàl)
  • Date: early 19th century
  • Culture: North Indian
  • Medium: Hide, gilt bronze, enamel, lacquer, jewels, textile (velvet)
  • Dimensions: Diam. 18 in. (45.7 cm); Wt. 3 lb. 12 oz. (1690 g)
  • Classification: Shields
  • Credit Line: Bashford Dean Memorial Collection, Funds from various donors, 1929
  • Object Number: 29.158.598
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Mail Shirt, Iron, copper alloys, leather, Indian or Iranian
Mail Shirt
Indian or Iranian
dated A.H. 1232/1816–17 CE
Helmet, Steel, iron, silver, copper alloy (niello), gold, textile, Crimean or South Russian
Helmet
Crimean or South Russian
dated A.H. 1223/1808–9 CE
Flintlock Gun, Steel, ebony, gold, enamel, rubies, emeralds, textile, Indian, Sindh (now Pakistan); lock, British
Flintlock Gun
Indian, Sindh (now Pakistan); lock, British
second quarter of the 19th century
Matchlock Rifle, Steel, wood, silver, gold, copper alloy, Indian, Sind (now Pakistan)
Matchlock Rifle
Indian, Sind (now Pakistan)
second quarter of the 19th century
Dagger (Katar) with Sheath, Steel, gold, skin, silver, Indian, Mughal
Dagger (Katar) with Sheath
Indian, Mughal
dated 1243 A.H./1827 CE

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

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.