Ancient Near East, Achaemenid Persian Empire, ca. 500 to 330 BCE, probably later in the period. A large shield boss, also known as an umbo, made of hammered and stamped bronze, with a stunning deep teal patina and horse decorations delineated in repousse around its exterior rim. In the center of the boss is a bronze rivet. Two rings of raised dots form a border around the low relief horses. Six drilled holes around the edge allowed attachment via rivets to the larger part of a shield. This item was made to be part of a violin-shield, a double-gripped style of shield known from Persepolis. The shield was oval, with circular cut outs from the side that gave it the appearance of a violin, with a central metal boss. According to Herodotus, it was carried by an elite infantry unit known as the Persian Immortals. Size: 7.45" W (18.9 cm); 11.25" H (28.6 cm) on included custom stand.
Herodotus wrote that the Immortals were so called because, even if one fell in battle, he was immediately replaced by another, keeping the group of 10,000 soldiers at a constant strength. These same guards may be the ones known as the "Susian Guards," depicted in the Palace of Darius I in Susa. A similar shield with boss is known from the Oxus Treasure, dated to the Achaemenid period and found in modern Tajikistan.
See the Oxus Treasure shield boss, which is much more ornate but also includes depictions of horses: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=282242&partId=1&searchText=oxus+shield&page=1
Provenance: private Houston, Texas, USA collection
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#132989
Condition
Almost invisibly epaired from 4 or 5 pieces. Beautiful teal patina over much of the surface. Slight bending to form, with some corrosion and wear commensurate with age. Small tears in two places near the edges.