Indian shield "dhal" for comment

[colin henshaw]

Originally Posted by thinreadline

Here's a few of mine , excuse the pics , some are so high on the walls that I would need scaffolding to get a decent shot . Of particular note is my slightly elliptical dhal fashioned from a large turtle shell ... this type is mentioned in Robinson's Oriental Armour ... he quotes an example as being in the Museum fur Volkerkunde , Vienna .... does anyone have a picture of this particular example ?

Impressive collection, thinreadline, thanks for posting. I especially like the dhal with the tiger decoration. Can you classify them into different areas/peoples etc ? I presume you have been collecting for some time...

Regards.

[thinreadline]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Impressive collection, thinreadline, thanks for posting. I especially like the dhal with the tiger decoration. Can you classify them into different areas/peoples etc ? I presume you have been collecting for some time...

Regards.

Thank you Colin. I have collected for a long time but am no expert. Even in books and museum collections attributions as to origin often contradict one another , and this is simply a testament to the movement of arms and armour over centuries . The small translucent hide dhal seen on the top left of the first photo shows Sindian style in its bosses which are typically in the form of 9 petalled flowers as seen from underneath. The turtle shell dhal is probably central west India . The large black hide dhal seen on the top right of the first pic is a common type found throughout India . Some dhals are somewhat flat but others tending towards the conical are associated with the Deccan . The shield with the roebuck horns is called a madu ( or maru ) and was used for parrying. Sometimes the horns are replaced with blades.

[weapons 27]

Originally Posted by thinreadline

Thank you Colin. I have collected for a long time but am no expert. Even in books and museum collections attributions as to origin often contradict one another , and this is simply a testament to the movement of arms and armour over centuries . The small translucent hide dhal seen on the top left of the first photo shows Sindian style in its bosses which are typically in the form of 9 petalled flowers as seen from underneath. The turtle shell dhal is probably central west India . The large black hide dhal seen on the top right of the first pic is a common type found throughout India . Some dhals are somewhat flat but others tending towards the conical are associated with the Deccan . The shield with the roebuck horns is called a madu ( or maru ) and was used for parrying. Sometimes the horns are replaced with blades.

nice collection
I allows me to add a comment on the madu shield are the horns of antelopes Indian blackbuck

[thinreadline]

Originally Posted by weapons 27

nice collection
I allows me to add a comment on the madu shield are the horns of antelopes Indian blackbuck

Thank you , I bow to your better knowledge on animal horns !

[Norman McCormick]

Hi,
Yep, Blackbuck antelope horn (Antilope Cervicapra), here's mine for a comparison.
Regards,
Norman.

[colin henshaw]

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi,
Yep, Blackbuck antelope horn (Antilope Cervicapra), here's mine for a comparison.
Regards,
Norman.

A fine piece Norman, thanks for posting.

Regards.

[colin henshaw]

Originally Posted by thinreadline

Thank you Colin. I have collected for a long time but am no expert. Even in books and museum collections attributions as to origin often contradict one another , and this is simply a testament to the movement of arms and armour over centuries . The small translucent hide dhal seen on the top left of the first photo shows Sindian style in its bosses which are typically in the form of 9 petalled flowers as seen from underneath. The turtle shell dhal is probably central west India . The large black hide dhal seen on the top right of the first pic is a common type found throughout India . Some dhals are somewhat flat but others tending towards the conical are associated with the Deccan . The shield with the roebuck horns is called a madu ( or maru ) and was used for parrying. Sometimes the horns are replaced with blades.

Thanks for the very useful information thinreadline. Do you also have any Indian spears in your collection - if so, would you be able to post some please ?