Shield "dhal" or "sipar" ·  India/ Persia · ID: 3042245

Description

steel, sun motif in the centre, surrounded by four bosses, separately worked flute players underneath, the whole surface chased and engraved with floral elements, min. dam., slight traces of corrosion and usage;
“dhal” is an Indian shield, also used in Persia as “sipar” and other countries between. It is nearly round and varies in diameter. Some are nearly flat while others are strongly convex. It is hold by two handles fastened to ring bolts that pass through the shields and are riveted to bosses on the outside. Between the handles there is a square cushion for the knuckles to rest against.

Comparing literature

Stone, George Cameron, A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor in all countries and all times, New York 1934, p. 208