A Good And Very Rare Scottish Shield (Targe), Properly Constructed, 19th Century

 A Good And Very Rare Scottish Shield (Targe) Properly Constructed With Deer Hide, Hand Wrought Iron Nails, 19th Century, With Classic Scottish Designs Adorning The Front.

19 and 3/4 inches in diameter. 8 pounds weight. Six pieced brass bosses encircle the central boss with short four sided iron spike. The leather surface engraved with traditional Scottish designs studded throughout with untouched, darkly patinated brass tacks. The leather showing great age and secured by hand wrought iron nails. One wrought iron enarme, the other replaced with leather. Wooden body covered with three panels of buff deer hide.

Following the disastrous battle of Culloden possession of anything remotely related to Scottish nationalism whether made of cloth, weapons, or a targe was punishable by death hence the rarity and desirability of any Scottish weapons made prior to 1745. Most were buried, thrown into rivers, or lochs in fear of British vengeance.

This targe is made in the traditional manner and could possibly be earlier however we prefer to be conservative as the last targe we had from the renowned Arnold Rothschild Collection was sold to a delighted client for $25,000.