Lot 4437
A late Gothic Austrian horseman's hand shield with coat of arms, mid-15th century
Arms & Armour, and Antique Firearms | A108aw | Live auction | 361 Lots
Description
Distinctly domed wooden shield, both sides covered in coarse linen. A semi-circular aperture on one side to insert the lance. The front painted in colour on gesso. Two fully sculptured, stuccoed red lions facing towards the right on a white background, part of the edge painted red. Pronounced craquelure on the surface. The inside painted in a dark colour. The rawhide thong torn on the left-hand side. Remnants of iron eyelets to attach a carrying strap. Dimensions 43 x 28 cm. The exact origin of the coat of arms has not yet been identified. However, the relatively rare representation of the striding (leopardised) lions is echoed in a similar shape and colour scheme on a mirror shelf in the Kunsthistorische Museum in Vienna (Inv. Kunstkammer no. 3419).Condition: II - Questions about the lot?
