Posts: 3 Location: Massachusetts USA
Mon 24 May, 2010 4:24 am
I would like to thank you all for all the information you have providedme.
I sent pictures and information to an on line appraiser and this was her reply. It sure doesn't look like it was stamped so I don't know what to think. Here was her appraisal:
Dhal /
Shield ,Indian, Watered Steel, Handles fastened by ring bolts riveted to four bosses on the shields face, chiseled and gilded decoration. 19 inch tall.19inches diameter , India,c. 16th century -17thcentury . Medieval shields were used to protect a soldier or knight from direct blows from the weapons of their enemies. The buckler, kite shield, heater shield, pavise, and target were types of shields used from 800 to 1500 A.D. The weapons of the light cavalry in the 15th century were the sabre, the spear and the bow, but clubs or battle axes were also used. The most widespread type of sabre was the hussar sabre, copied from Turkish models. It had a single blade, which was slightly curved, and its hilt was straight and wide. Hungarian sabres with curved hilts turned up in the 16th century, and they became the most popular weapons. Warriors both in the heavy and light cavalry used shields to protect themselves. Shields were usually made of wood, with their surface covered with leather or linen, but the
hussars often used small, round shields woven from reeds. Indian warriors carried a round shield called a dhal made of steel or hide. Ornate decorations and embellishments were often characteristic of Indian arms and armour. Many were chased with brass, silver, or gold, or fitted with ivory or jade hilts. Dahl: The small or medium-sized round shield, called the dahl, was the most common Indian shield, particularly during the age of encounters with European powers. The dahl was circular, commonly of embossed leather or steel, and was used throughout India and the regions to its Northwest. Its form changed little over the centuries. The dahl typically had four or five metal bosses on its face and two handles on the inside: one to slide the shield arm through, and the other for the shield hand to grasp. Some, often referred to as "Persian" in style, have six bosses and three handles, two of which the arm passes through. This is a nice dahl. However, it was made for the Greek tourist market. It has a lot of Greek mythology characters on it. This was most likely made in in India. The do a lot of weapon reproductions. It is missing a lot of it's grip backing. I believe the decoration is stamped and not chiseled.Item made to look oid. I assume it is currently being made to date.