Indian shield "dhal" for comment

[colin henshaw]

Thanks for the comments so far.

Thinreadline - very useful information re cleaning. I was thinking of removing the unsightly varnish/lacquer from the brass bosses also. Another point is... the leather handle straps to the back are very dry and cracking - any ideas as to the best way to preserve these ?

I've often seen these shields described as "Indo-Persian" - what's the difference between the two, are Persian shields usually metal ? If you have any representative examples of dhals, do please post them.

Presumably my shield, being fairly plain, would not belong to a high ranking person ?

Regards
Colin

[weapons 27]

hi colin
I think that your shield is Indian 19th
with regard to cleaning of leather I think we should just pass a damp sponge to remove dirt, without using detergent may remove the lacquer
!after letting dry and pass on a renaissance wax , let dry and rub with a soft brush.the straps to pass a moisturizing cream for leather...and dry...

Here are a few models of my colection or I spent renaissance wax top..
.the four Prime leather and the other three metal..

.the last one is indopersian

[Timo Nieminen]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

I've often seen these shields described as "Indo-Persian" - what's the difference between the two, are Persian shields usually metal ?

Some Persian shields have 3 straps. The usual 2 in the centre, and a 3rd strap near the edge. To allow it to be worn with the forearm through the centre straps, and the hand can grip the edge strap, to make it easier to hold the reins when riding. IIRC, Robinson, "Oriental Armour", notes that this is a difference between Persian and Indian shields.