North Indian Dhal Shield

The dhal shield, the infantryman's outfit. Widely worn by infantry in battle and on parade to indicate rank or status. The dhal shield was made primarily of leather, boiled in oil to harden, giving an attractive translucent effect. The front is covered with four or six bosses, sometimes decorated with precious materials such as gold, silver, gemstones and enamel. Most dhals have a domed shape and a cushion inside to ensure comfort when gripping. This example: Made of hardened, translucent leather and covered with a thin silver sheath. The silver sheath is decorated with hand-printed floral designs in gold, modified with polychrome pigments. The centre has a richly decorated central piece accompanied by four openwork iron bosses with a modest koftgari decoration in silver inlay. The interior of the shield is simple and has four rings attached to the bosses inside a cushion that has unfortunately not stood the test of time. A very similar decorative pattern is seen on a 'sarod' instrument in the Victoria & Albert collection, attributed to the workshops of Varanasi and Patna, Uttar Pradesh.