Scutum layers

[caiusbeerquitius]

The Dura shields were painted in encaustic. Probably no leather involved there, but rather rawhide facing. The encaustic paint was rather applied onto a layer of white stuff than gesso, which overlaid the rawhide (which was rather a parchment in regard of its thickness). The Masada shield fragments were made in a similar way, although heavy fabric (linen?) was applied under the parchment / onto the wood (also on the inside in some cases IIRC). The shields from the Trier collection are also rawhide / white stuff / encaustic IIRC.