Shield Accessory thumbnail 1
Shield Accessory thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Shield Accessory

ca. 1700 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Rajasthan (made)

This superbly embroidered scene of a lady and a peacock is all the more remarkable as it was not intended to be seen by anyone except its owner. It would have been used inside a shield to protect the user's knuckles. Most examples are plain, and often of leather, but some other decorative ones are known. Most of the embroidered ones seem to come from Jaipur in Rajasthan.


Object details

Categories
Arms & Armour
Animals and Wildlife
Textiles
Embroidery
Object type
Shield accessory
Materials and techniques
Cotton embroidered with silk thread
Brief description
Shield accessory (knuckle pad), Jaipur (Rajasthan), ca. 1700
Physical description
A cover for the knuckle pad of a shield with a design of a lady and peacock.
Dimensions
  • Height: 15.5cm
  • Takem from indian heritage catalogue width: 15.5cm
  • Length: 13.5cm
  • Width: 14cm
Credit line
Given by Imre Schwaiger
Summary
This superbly embroidered scene of a lady and a peacock is all the more remarkable as it was not intended to be seen by anyone except its owner. It would have been used inside a shield to protect the user's knuckles. Most examples are plain, and often of leather, but some other decorative ones are known. Most of the embroidered ones seem to come from Jaipur in Rajasthan.
Bibliographic references
  • Skelton, Robert, et al, The Indian Heritage. Court life and Arts under Mughal Rule London: The Victoria and Albert Museum, 1982 p. 94, cat. no. 249
  • The art of India and Pakistan, a commemorative catalogue of the exhibition held at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1947-8. Edited by Sir Leigh Ashton. London: Faber and Faber, [1950] p. 222, cat. no. 1076, pl. 68 (below)
  • Irwin; John, Indian Embroidery (large picture book, no. 7) London: H. M. Stationery Office, Victoria & Albert Museum, 1951 pl. 8
  • Irwin, John, C., A Brief Guide to Indian Art, H.M.S.O. 1962 fig. 21
  • Irwin, John; Indian Art: Victoria & Albert Museum departmental guide, H.M.S.O. ISBN 0 905209117, 1978 fig. 21, p. 17
Collection
South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number
IM.106-1924

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Record createdJune 7, 2000
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O40322/shield-accessory-unknown/
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