Antique 18th century Islamic Mughal India Indo - Persian Indian Gold Damascened Shield Dhal

Antique superb quality large 18th century Islamic Mughal India Indo-Persian Indian steel shield Separ-Dhal of a circular convex form. This shield is made from a single piece of thick solid steel that has been hand-hammered. The inside of the shield shows visible hammer marks, while the exterior surface is perfectly smooth.

The entire surface of the shield is finely hand-chiseled with various designs and adorned with gold and silver damascening.

The center is decorated with a large roundel adorned with a floral medallion encircled by the band of shikargarh / shikargarh" depicting tigers hunting antelopes and elephants fighting tigers, all highlighted in gold-damascening and enclosed by bands of scrolling pattern.

The roundel is surrounded by 8 cusped cartouches. Four of the cartouches contain human figures in various poses, while the other four depict a tiger hunting an antelope, an elephant attacking a tiger, two fighting rams, and a resting tiger. All of these are surrounded by profusely chiseled foliate patterns.

At the bottom is a band with a similar pattern adorned with silver koftgari.

The center, with four elaborate domed bosses, has on the reverse 4 ring bolts with loops for straps to hold the shield and a rectangular padded cushion of embroidered crimson fabric.

MEASUREMENTS:

Diameter: 45 cm (17.72 inches).

CONDITION: It is in very good condition with an old patina.

For the related Indian Shield, adorned with animal’s motifs please see the links below:

https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5693395

The buyer will receive a copy of the pages from the mentioned references, together with a certificate of authenticity.