A VERY RARE HUNGARIAN TOURNAMENT SHIELD

MID-16TH CENTURY

Details

A VERY RARE HUNGARIAN TOURNAMENT SHIELD
MID-16TH CENTURY
Of concave form with rounded top edge and tapering to a point, of wood covered with painted parchment, the front with red and white striped border framing a central white panel bearing a small red cross at the centre and with a triangular red panel below, the inside brown with stippled horizontal bars, and five rivets with triangular heads retaining fragments of leather from a 'Y'-shape for a carrying strap
55 3/4in. (141.5cm.) high

Provenance

Roy G. Cole Collection (Part II), Sotheby's, New Bond Street, 12 October 1970, Lot 260 (purchased by the vendor's late husband)

Lot Essay

Shields of this type were used at tournaments held by the Hapsburg Court in which the participants wore oriental dress. For similar shields please see the Catalogue of the Kienbusch Collection, New York, nos. 279 and 280

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