The Dura Book: New type of shield

[Anonymous]

As I am reading with a lot of pleasure Simons James' book on the Dura finds, it appears that it definitely is an important book.<br>
I thus discovered an hitherto unknown --to me-- type of shield: it is oval, but the grip and remnants of decoration show that the horizontal axis was wider. Moreover, it seems there was no umbo on this type, the grip being attached to the board by rivets.<br>
Remnants of a shield grip mounting also show that it was more than a simple handle but a multi-part element probably designed as some sort of shock absorber.<br>
And then more.. You learn too that some of the shield boards were covered with gesso.<br>
Gesso?? On a shield?? <br>
Could it be that some shields were painted al fresco?<br>
How would that hold fast under the weather? <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=antoninuslucretius@romanarmytalk>Antoninus Lucretius</A> <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://lucretius.homestead.com/files/Cesar_triste.jpg" BORDER=0> at: 7/3/04 5:31 pm<br></i>

[John M McDermott]

What is Gesso? <p></p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

Gesso is what is used to prime an artist's canvas. Modern gesso is an acrylic/white pigment mix. The ancients would use animal glues and pigment. <p></p><i></i>

[Robert Vermaat]

Quote:</em></strong><hr>no umbo on this type, the grip being attached to the board by rivets.<hr><br>
I have not seen the picture, but no umbo? Then how did the bearer protect his hand? Attaching grips with rivets is nothing out of the ordinary.<br>
<br>
Valete,<br>
Valerius/Robert <p></p><i></i>

[Gashford]

Gesso an also be used as a weather proofer to some degree on leather and other water perishable objects that aren't going to be bent about much.<br>
<br>
Apparently it was frequently found on tooled leather work in the medieval period.<br>
<br>
When layered it can be tooled to some small reflief and was used occasionally for fine details work in sculpture or as a poor mans marble for wall surrounds and decorative coving.<br>
<br>
It has long been suspected, by a few of us, but not proven about its use in and on a lot of Roman leather wear.<br>
<br>
Hope this helps <p></p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

Simon James, of course...<br>
He thinks that maybe these bossless shields --the dimensions are unknown--can be connected with the local small desert targe.<br>
"This is seen on many depictions at Dura and Palmyra, whence it is clear that it is a local shield with no boss but a single grip. They seem to have been used by horsemen and camel riders (...) The best explanation is that they are romanized versions of such bucklers". (S.James).<br>
Indeed, both fragments are decorated with a typically roman heavy leaf pattern and one of them is of plywood construction.<br>
S. James book on the Dura excavations is really a must.. <p></p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

Can you show us a sketch?<br>
Johnny <p></p><i></i>