Shields and Passive Barriers
Surveys personal deflection gear, grappling shields, and team-carried field mantlets, analyzing construction woods, leather facings, and grips.
Inside this collection
Center-Grip Round Shields
Examines Celtic, Germanic, and Viking Age domed boss shields, plank joinery, and rawhide edge bindings.
Kite and Heater Shields
Traces the evolution of strapped shields designed for cavalry flank protection and subsequent infantry use.
Pavises and Stationary Mantlets
Covers large freestanding wooden shields used to shelter crossbowmen and siege engineers during assaults.
African Rawhide and Wicker Shields
Examines cowhide, hippo leather, and woven cane shields, such as the Nguni and Zulu isihlangu.
Bucklers and Fencing Shields
Explores small fist-held metal and wood bucklers paired with arming swords and rapiers.
Indo-Persian Dhal Shields
Details circular hide and steel dhal shields fitted with four interior boss bosses and cushion hand grips.
Indigenous American Shields
Analyzes decorated rawhide plains shields, Andean leather targets, and Mexica chimalli with feather fringes.
Rotellas and High-Renaissance Targets
Investigates convex circular steel shields, damascened parade targets, and lantern-fitted night shields.
Legendary objects deserve
a closer reading.
We study materials, makers and surviving evidence. Legends open the question; history guides the answer.
Our approach