Shield nineteenth century
Steel, gold | 4.6 x 28.0 x 28.0 cm (whole object) | RCIN 38576
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A circular, convex shield or dhal of blued steel, overlaid with gold patterning and with applied, profile-cut wild animals and flowers, surmounted by four gold bosses. The gold patterning is achieved using a method known as kuftkari whereby the surface of the object is crosshatched and gold wire is applied in the desired pattern and burnished into the crosshatched surface. Craftsmen in Punjab, in particular Sialkot and Gujrat in modern-day Pakistan,were known for using this method to decorate arms and armour.
Provenance
Presented to King Edward VII, when Prince of Wales, during his tour of India in 1875-76 by Kharak Singh, Maharaja of Kapurthala.
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Medium and techniques
Steel, gold
Measurements
4.6 x 28.0 x 28.0 cm (whole object)
Category
Object type(s)
Place of Production
Punjab [India]