Metallic shield ornaments

[Peroni]

There are two examples in the book of lightning flashes without the thunderbolts: From Mainz, dated c. 75 AD (Legio I Adiutrix or Legio XIV Gemina?) They both have wings; one is a curve-sided scutum with a bird where the the thunderbolts would be; the other straight-sided, and may possibly have also had a bird, but the original was too worn to tell and has two extra lightning flashes instead.

And there's also my Deepeeka scutum which has no thunderbolts (note to self....)

The Deepeeka design (and ours!) is taken from the tombstone of the Aquilifer Gnaeus Musius of LEG XIIII GMV. Deepeeka were probably influenced heavily by Dan Peterson and his LEG XIIII GMV impressions of the Musius scutum blazon whilst he worked alongside Deepeeka to research and manufacture Roman items.

Here's another theory.. Ice-cream cones, whirlwinds, thunderbolts, What about unicorns horns?? Mythical beasts with supposed magical powers?

Just a thought

Here's a reconstruction by P. Buckland of the Doncaster shield that Dan refers to
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b242/ ... uction.gif

Here'sa reconstruction of a colleagues shield with decorative metal facings probably based on the Kalkriese finds of lightning bolts;
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b242/ ... metal1.jpg

Regards,

[Theodosius the Great]

The Deepeeka design (and ours!) is taken from the tombstone of the Aquilifer Gnaeus Musius of LEG XIIII GMV

This one ? Hard to see the shield in this picture. Thanks for the reference, Peroni.

Here's another theory.. Ice-cream cones, whirlwinds, thunderbolts, What about unicorns horns?? Mythical beasts with supposed magical powers?

:lol: Ice-cream cones was the closest thing they resembled to me. Unicorns horns, yeah that's a good one.

Here'sa reconstruction of a colleagues shield with decorative metal facings probably based on the Kalkriese finds of lightning bolts;
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b242/ ... metal1.jpg

That's gorgeous. Some of the finest metalwork I've seen on a scutum 8)

[Tarbicus]

Interestingly, that same website that Tarbicus pointed out where the eagle is said to be holding lightning and thunderbolts has another symbol that is WHIRLWINDS, wings and lightning: link from old RAT I have copper As with this very symbol on it actually...

The description says God the Creator. Are they whirlwinds or could they be another biblical reference, pillars of fire?

Here's a reconstruction of a colleagues shield with decorative metal facings probably based on the Kalkriese finds of lightning bolts;
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b242/ ... metal1.jpg

That's awesome, thanks! There's are similar ones here on RAT:

Billy Flood, from Roma Antiqua.


TITUS SABATINUS AQUILIUS:


link from old RAT

[tlclark]

Here's another theory.. Ice-cream cones, whirlwinds, thunderbolts, What about unicorns horns?? Mythical beasts with supposed magical powers?

Just a thought

I know this was tongue in cheek, but just to prove I can generate factoids on a level with Cliff Clavin from "Cheers"---

According to the Physiologus, Unicorn horns are indigo in color and curved like scimitars. All early depictions show them this way.

The idea of twisted horns is probably a late medieval early renaissance notion made after the discovery and imporation of narwhal tusks.

In fact, the whole white "clydesdale" with narwhal tusk image is pretty late. The ancient unicorn is always seen as a small gazelle like creature.

Interestingly, the first account of the unicorn, called "monoceros" as stout animal with legs like a elephant, thick skin and a curved indigo horn living in India, an animal any modern person can recognize as the extinct indian rhino. From this humble accurate account we get the wonderful gleaming white symbol of today.

Odd huh?

Travis

[tlclark]

Here'sa reconstruction of a colleagues shield with decorative metal facings probably based on the Kalkriese finds of lightning bolts;
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b242/ ... metal1.jpg

That's gorgeous. Some of the finest metalwork I've seen on a scutum 8)

I agree it's neat!

Someone should get Jim McDermott in on this conversation. He has a fabulous auxillae shield with raised leather applique wings and thunderbolt.

I did a search of his posts, but I couldn't find it.

Travis

[Peroni]

Salvete,

Johns oval shield with raised decorations (I believe by Terry Nix(?))
is in this thread;
http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic. ... 6b5b7c7248

Regards,



*edited link. The W10 address does work, but it's no longer necessary to use it). JO*