AN EXTREMELY RARE SCOTTISH TARGE OF THE REBELLION PERIOD

From the mid 17th century until the disarmament after 1746, Scots used a primitive but highly effective tactic known as The Highland Charge. Armed with sword in one hand and targe (shield) in the other, they would charge at a full run and engage the enemy in hand to hand combat. The result, when fighting among the clans, was a melee. When confronting a trained army, the charge produced losses, but the survivors engaged an enemy neither trained nor prepared for the physical attack. This is a very rare Rebellion period targe. It is deeply modeled leather over a wood core with copper mounts including the central boss. The form of the decoration is rare, even among surviving examples. Another example was in the Sheffield Park Museum, near Uckfield, Sussex. That collection was sold in April 1971 and the shield, illustrated as plate 52 in the catalog is described as A Rare mid 18th century Scottish Targe. That shield and this are clearly from the same workshop and probably the work of the same hand. Notably, the following item in the catalog, unpictured, is described as A similar Targe, embossed in the same manner. Diameter: Approximately 20. Both examples are out of round as a result of cross grain wood shrinkage. This example by 1.89%, while the Sheffield Park example is 1.80% out of round, based on its illustration. The extraordinary similarity of shrinkage suggests common material and construction techniques and thus, reinforces the conclusion of a common maker.

Extended Layaway is available for this item.