Making a domed Late Roman shield

[M. Demetrius]

I plan to make two oval Late Roman shields. Robert V, you'll be pleased to know that we have finally decided to put together a Late Roman impression, Mike Boyd, Doug Mather, and myself will be the first members of the Cornuti Seniori. 4th/5th Century. We'll be the 5th Cohort of that Legion. Interestingly, a loose translation of the Legion title could be "horny old men", which, well, you know.

So here's my plan. We are not ready to use the splits of wood and lay them up in a true historical fasion. I think I'll try this method:

1. cut the oval (THANKS FOR THE FORMULA, ROBERT.) from 1/4" plywood.
2. drill the holes for the edging.
3. put the ovals in a soak tank for three or four days at least
4. on a 3/4" (19mm) piece of plywood, larger than the shield, I'll fasten a circle of wood 1 1/2" thick, about the same size as the flange of the boss, right in the center.
4. When saturated with water, using wood screws through the edging holes, bend the wood over the block.
5. Let it dry for however long it takes, I expect a week or more, in the shade

The hope is that it will dry and retain some of that dome shape when the screws are removed. Does that sound crazy?