Shield

Shields made of animal hide were light, handy, strong and durable and were preferred to metal shields. The surface of this large rhinoceros hide shield is lacquered in black and painted over it. It depicts four lions attacking black bucks and bulls. The space in between is filled with plants and creepers to indicate a forest. The border of the shield has a delicate creeper design. The shield has four golden knobs fashioned like flowers around a circular flower and creeper design at the centre. Attached to the inside of the shield is a square stuffed cushion.

Such large shields are also known as dowry shields. It was customary to carry the bride's dowry consisting of jewels, cash, arms and so on, on the concave side of the shield. An embroidered cloth would be placed on the shield under the gifts, or often the concave side of the shield was itself beautifully decorated.