Making an Aspis - Ring Method (Visual Aids)

[Chris B]

I am using oil based paint for it. I finished the outer design yesterday and am letting it dry. I will paint a protective clear coat over the outside today and then clean up the inside of the rim this weekend. If there are no problems, I'll post the last steps by Monday and pictures of the completed shield.

[Pericles of Rhodes]

In the Carian coast colonies contacted Rhodian colonists who were Doreans. The Key pattern fits if the gent carrying was related to a Rhodian lady of the Dymanes Doric clan.

Kind regards

Stefanos, are you saying that this Greek key design on this shield is authentic for a Rhodian shield (or any other). I understood, from speaking with you a while ago, that the Greek key per se was not used on shields but rather the simplified key design known a Menander, as seen on the Chigi Vase. Where they both used? I have not yet seen this kind of key on ancient depictions of shields but I would be interested to see them if anyone has one. I cant see why it would not be possible for use on a shield; they seemed to put the design on more or less everything else… and it does look nice! wink:

[Chris B]

In the Carian coast colonies contacted Rhodian colonists who were Doreans. The Key pattern fits if the gent carrying was related to a Rhodian lady of the Dymanes Doric clan.

Kind regards

Stefanos, are you saying that this Greek key design on this shield is authentic for a Rhodian shield (or any other). I understood, from speaking with you a while ago, that the Greek key per se was not used on shields but rather the simplified key design known a Menander, as seen on the Chigi Vase. Where they both used? I have not yet seen this kind of key on ancient depictions of shields but I would be interested to see them if anyone has one. I cant see why it would not be possible for use on a shield; they seemed to put the design on more or less everything else… and it does look nice! wink:

I couldn't agree more. With tens of thousands of hoplites and shields being a personal preference/highly individualized, I would have a hard time believing that not even one of them put it on their shield. I personally think if the design shows up in the time period, it is highly likely that it was used. You cannot prove it wasn't anyways. I used it because it really pops in that design.

I just finished the inner rim using a pattern close to the meander. WOW! I am giddy with the shield. I will put clear coats on the whole shield tomorrow to protect the paint job, put the rope/tassel work on the inside and post pics. I couldn't have hoped for it to turn out so well. I am very happy with it.

Of course, now I feel bad........like I am cheating on my beloved Corinthian shield. I guess I am not a faithful kind of guy. Oh well, she'll have to forgive me. :lol:

[Giannis K. Hoplite]

More faithful to your wife's taste,perhaps :wink: What is this protection coat you'll put over the paint? Is it going to look more shiny,too?
Post many photos,please. And in the Show your greek impression thread,with full kit
So...now the most interesting part is next...the linothorax,right?
Khaire
Giannis

[Chris B]

Today I finished the shield. I put two coats of clear matte finish polyurethane over the shield to protect it. After that much work, and as good as it turned out, nothing will ever touch this shield. Even if I decide to start reenacting, I will make a copy of my Corinthian shield to tear up. This is now my personal favorite out of roughly 35 different type shields.

I put 6 black tassels on the inside and ran black cord around the inner perimeter. I whipped the ends of the rope so they won't unravel and then wound the cord over itself three times at the right side for my grip. By thickening it, it fits nicely in the hand now for a tight grip. Enjoy the pics and good luck to anyone starting one themselves. Feel free to ask questions if anyone needs them that is new to making these, but I am done adding responses unless there are questions. Thanks for the support.

I will polish the porpax to a nice finish before each use, but I left it alone for now. It will hang on the wall for months so there is no point to polishing it yet. It will tarnish anyway hanging in this humidity.







Giannis,

Yes sir. You are correct. I am already cutting linen as we speak. I am anticipating about two months for the build with scales.

[Giannis K. Hoplite]

Congratulations and laudes,Chris. It's a very beautiful aspis. The meandros pattern is very nice.
Khaire
Giannis

[spyros]

It's a trully beautifull shield Chriss. Well done and ofcourse laudes

[Theron]

Hello All

Just an update, well I started my Aspis this weekend and it seems to be coming along nicely. It seems that birch plywood is a hard thing to come by in my part of Ontario. I had a look at what they were calling birch plywood and it was fiber board covered with birch vanier. Very crappy stuff!
So we ended up using 12" wide 3/4" think pine barn boards, which are plentiful and super nice to work with. I have the bowl alwost completely glued up and the ring is done and set for sanding. A lot of fun, and nice to turn out something neat!
I have a few questions though, what type of linen should be used for covering and what is the best way to get the linen down so that it doesn't ripple while it is being glued. I think I will be onto the linen by next weekend. Then the painting and carrying it about like a kid with a new toy!
Are there any good descriptions of how to make the fittings for the inside? Please let me know.

Thanks

Theron

[Chris B]

Please read the whole thread. If you still have specific questions, then feel free to ask. Those questions are on pages 2 and 3 in detail. Good luck with it.

[Theron]

Chris

I had read the whole article, but my question was the weight of linen used and the tightness of the weave? I have lots of heavy weight linen that I picked up at Ikea but I think that the weave would look too chunky. I can pick up more linen with a nice tight weave. But I was wondering if you would recommend anything.
I love the work that you have done. I am not trying to be a bug just I am trying to do the job the first time right and benifit from the work and research that you have done. Thanks for the help and inspiration.

Theron

[Chris B]

If you already have linen, I would recommend gluing a small bit to some of the scrap wood your using and experiment with the paint. If it looks good, then use it. That way you do not ruin your whole shield if it doesn't.

I used canvas on this particular shield and it was quite heavy. Once I got two full coats of oil based paint on it, the weave doesn't really show as much because of the thickness of the paint. I guess it is personal preference, but I would just experiment with what you already have before spending more money.

As far as the fittings, I do not know what else to add and I'll respond if I can. If you have specific questions, ask them. Good luck.

[le Cavalier Invisible]

Sorry for disturbing :oops: , but: laudes! hock: 8) Great work!

Greetz,

[Theron]

Hello All

Here is the first of a few pictures of my new Aspis. Now I have the fun of covering it and having it painted.

Theron

[Theron]

Another picture to show off a bit.

[Theron]

One more