[John Henry Utley]

Hi everyone. After having read threads on myArmoury for a few years, this is my first post.

I am trying to figure out what patterns and colors would have been used on germanic shields from the iron age. (Pre roman iron age through migration period). I know of the reproduction that is in a german museum but i havent found anything supporting the pattern on it. I know that the romans said they had crescents and stars on their shields, but that is about it. Google has not done a lot for me except bring up video game shields.

Thanks for your time,

Henry

[Joonas Pessi]

Well there is this stone carving from Hornhausen, which is dated either to the 5th to 8th, or the 7th to 8th centuries:



Shields from the roman iron age weapon sacrifice at thorsberg were painted red and blue, and the shield from the Valsgarde 9 grave seems to have been painted red.

I hope that you will find the information at least somewhat helpful