Dhal
Category
Arms and armour
Date
1875 - 1905
Materials
lacquer, velvet, silver, leather, brass and paint
Measurements
70 mm (D); 180 mm (Dia)
Order this imageCollection
Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire
NT 107217
Summary
Round, convex Indian shield (Dhal). Dhals are nearly always made from metal or leather, this shield is probably made from an animal hide and covered in lacquer decoration. The exterior has a floral pattern in red and a rock pattern in white, the rock motif is repeated around the interior edging. It is held by two velvet covered leather handles that are fastened by ring bolts which pass through the shield and are riveted to the four external silver bosses. There is a square cushion of green velvet between the two handles that acts as a knuckle rest. This particular shield came from Shahpur in Jaipur. 'A lacquered shield with four silver bosses - From Shahpur, Indian' (Christie's entry)
Provenance
Purchased in 1986 by the National Heritage Memorial Fund from Francis Curzon, 3rd Viscount Scarsdale (1924-2000). Gifted to the National Trust in 1987 by the National Heritage Memorial Fund.