Hi All,

I have just finished a pavaise reproduction for a customer and ready for delivery in Sterkshof this weekend.

The (large) Pavaise was a shield used by crossbowmen and was carried onto the field and placed as a temporary shield against incoming projectiles whilst the archer loaded and shot his bow. To this end they were large as they were not meant for mobile combat and thus afforded the maximum protection. They also usually feature either a wooden or metal stay or a ground spike on the bottom edge.

They almost always feature a central rib and are gently curved and very often highly decorated.

This repro is made from formed ply rather than planked and is covered in linen canvas and a modern gesso. The distinctive handle is leather covered rope and the stay is made from oiled ash with a top pivot and a bottom lashing. The carry strap has hand forged buckle and plate.

All the components are rivetted on with rose head nails.

The shield is about 1.35m tall by 60cm wide and 12mm thick (4'6" x 2' x 1/2")

The painting is based on an original.

The turned edge on the back face looks a little rough, but I have based it on the edging of an original and I like the hand made look it offers.

I hope you like it.

Tod

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Very nice Pavese, is it the piece from Schlss Tirol it is based on?

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looking awesome! was it made in a single piece or did you curve the sides and cut the middle out of a bar and then attached them?

Grief, Tod, I'd say you were a renaissance man... if you didn't do so many things that were pre-renaissance. Is there any project that you've ever just flat out turned down and said "no I don't do that?"

Great! I just wonder, why aren't the rivets done below the linen and gesso in front? I assumed this was common. It was sometimes re-gessoed and repainted even when the rivets were replaced.

I'm still working on mine. Still only in my head, I'm afraid...

Thanks guys.

In order of comments:

The piece was indeed based on the one at Schloss Tirol, though that picture is the only one I had to go on.

It was formed from two curved ply panels and a central trough.

I declined a job to mumify a person earlier this year - for real. I can't say any more, but my wife was rather glad I didn't do it. Shame though as I would have a got a really good humidity and temperature controlled chamber perfect for speed seasoning wood.

I like the nail heads showing for personal reasons and I am sure it would have been done both ways.

Regards

Tod

Very, very awesome. :)

Is it true they were sometimes worn on the back during combat so the crossbowman could turn his back to the enemy while he reloaded and be protected?