Peculiar Shield Image -- myArmoury.com

Craig Peters · Posted: Sun 20 Mar, 2011 7:46 am Post subject: Peculiar Shield Image

Does anyone know why Knut's shield in this image looks strange? It appears that the shield is held with the strapping facing the viewer, but there's some other stuff in the image that I cannot make out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EdmundIrons..._Dane1.jpg

Interpretations?

Jim Adelsen · Industry Professional

His shield has 2 ships pictured on it. One on top of the other. That might be what is throwing you off?

Thomas R. · Posted: Sun 20 Mar, 2011 7:55 am Post subject:

Hi Craig,
look closer: these are no strappings at all, but painted ships on Knut's shield. Big Grin

Have fun,
Thomas

edit: It seems, that Jim was a little bit faster than me... Happy

Gabriele A. Pini · Posted: Sun 20 Mar, 2011 1:52 pm Post subject:

Certanly is a strange form of shield, ships apart. There are other examples of this? A kite shield with top and bottom removed, or simply a bad illustrator (some other objects are a bit stylized, like the lance)?

Craig Peters · Posted: Mon 21 Mar, 2011 2:00 am Post subject:

I suppose they are ships. They way they are drawn in the manuscript, the hulls seem to have depth, and looked like strapping hanging off of the shield.