TWO INDIAN POLYCHROME-PAINTED AND LACQUERED LEATHER SHIELDS (DHAL)
Rajasthan, North-Western India, 19th century

Comprising a larger circular shield, the polychrome-painted and lacquered leather stretched in the round, four applied bronze bosses to the centre, each one with a gadrooned body and floral collar, the decoration consisting of a central floral medallion with vegetal meanders against a bright red ground, framed within a floral festoon against white ground, interlocking vegetal sprays on dark ground, and more vegetal and floral decorative bands to the rim, the back lacquered in bright red and gold, with parts of its original padding and holding straps, 65cm diam.; and another smaller shield, similar in taste and design, with modern padding, 59cm diam.