Persian shield for comment

[Congoblades]

Found this persian shield recently, I am totaly ignorant in this kind of weapons.
Weight is 3,5 kg. Any comment on a more precies origin than -persian-, and age is more than welcome.

[B.I]

hi,
its indian, and not persian.
the brass shields were thought to be from benares and date to the late 19th (if you are lucky) and well into the late 20th, with some real touristy ones still being made. yours is a bit better, and these alloy ones are more desirable. dont know if they are also benares, but if not, they must be from a near region as the styling is very similar. with your knucklepad, i would think it could date to very early 20thC, maybe a touch earlier. they are nice, decorative things.

[Valjhun]

Congoblades, you have a vey beautifull dhal!

I have a pair of very similar shields. Modern or not, touristic or not, I just LOVE them!

B.I. thank you for giving a precise atribution to thoose type of shild!

[Congoblades]

Thanks B.I. and Valjhun, on the internet I find more simular shields, mostly named as Indo-persian, also looking on the words -persian shield- give me simular indian shields, a bit confusing or do they look simular?
Are these indian shields only made for decoration or are they also functional?

[B.I]

they were made as decorative things, to cater for a growing tourist industry (which started during the british occupation).
however, if someone broke into my house wielding a sword, i would happily take it down from the wall to defend myself!