This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.

A rare conversion of a mogul fighting shield of about 1650-1750 to a tiger beater’s shield. 18 3/8” diameter. Composite of hide with canvas backing and domed form. The relative calm in India brought about by unification of most city states under British oversight spawned a population expansion which led to clearances for agriculture of tiger territories. Tiger hunting had always been a royal sport and the clearances justified the hunts for the nobility and their British companions. Riding safely on elephants they sent bands of beaters armed with sticks and shields into the brush to drive the tigers to the hunters. This shield was disassembled, the knuckle pad stuffing removed, the front painted with tiger themes and reassembled for use, probably about 1800

Stock Number: A2326

This item isSold