Hi Charles,
This shield has been bugging me all week, I have seen similar but couldn't remember where - well I had chance to go through my books, and found the one I had been thinking of, in fact there are at least three - all in the Royal Collection, at Sandringham.
Pics attached of one, they are described as blued steel, decorated with gold-damascening and riveted profile cut representations of wild animals; the field surrounded by four bosses encrusted with gold. Punjab province (Gujarat or Sialcot type) 19thC. Two are said to have been presented by H.H the Maharaja of Kapurthala, and a third presented by HH Maharaja of Bundelkhand. The latter said to be have an applied band of loop and knot pattern, which in my experience can be in the form of a snake.
Now we have a point of reference, and we all agree yours is a beautiful shield, we now need someone of authority to comment on any religious / symbolical significance there may lie in the design.
Hope that helps - Runjeet.
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