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Fayum La Tène Shield
Original: Circa 2nd-1st century BC

This particular shield is modeled loosely after a preserved shield found in an oasis in Fayum, Egypt. The original was slightly curved, comprised of three layers of birch strips, and covered front and back with wool felt which was doubled over the rim and stitched on.

The reconstruction differs in that it is a flat shield. The construction is of oak planks with an oak umbo, covered front and back with natural oak tanned leather, which has been doubled over the rim and stitched on with linen cord.

This shield was made with attention to period-appropriate materials and construction. The boards and leather were glued using hide glue for 90% of the shield. The boards, umbo, and grip were cut and carved by hand using only hand tools. The umbo is carved from a single piece of oak with a hand-carved integral center rib. The grip reinforce is hand-forged iron, as is the "butterfly" boss. Forged iron nails secure the grip and grip reinforce in place.

Some modern wood glue was used in the construction. Otherwise, the piece displays a large amount of period-appropriate material.

Nathan Bell's Collection

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