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- Made of buffalo hide and lacquered for durability and hardness, this late eighteenth-century Indian shield, provides an unexpected canvas for the artist. In its design, it parallels contemporary Indian textiles. Its white ground evokes the white wool popular throughout the subcontinent as a base for expensive embroidered textiles. Meanwhile the overall composition is reminiscent of the classic rug design with a central medallion, a field, and a border.
These parallels remind us that an ornate shield like this is a fashion item, made to show off the wealth and good taste of the ultimate owner. The shield is unlined to show off its translucence: further evidence for the quality of the leather and the skill of the artist.
- Made of buffalo hide and lacquered for durability and hardness, this late eighteenth-century Indian shield, provides an unexpected canvas for the artist. In its design, it parallels contemporary Indian textiles. Its white ground evokes the white wool popular throughout the subcontinent as a base for expensive embroidered textiles. Meanwhile the overall composition is reminiscent of the classic rug design with a central medallion, a field, and a border.