Shield for the Field or Tournament (Targe)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Although damaged from use and age, this shield is one of the most beautifully painted examples of the fifteenth century. On the preserved surface shows a woman wearing a feathered turban and holding a scroll inscribed in German “fahr mit Freuden” (go with joy). A heraldic shield to the right formerly displayed an owner’s coat of arms, which is now illegible. The surrounding areas are delicately painted with foliate scrolls and “cloud bands” in opaque colors and translucent glazes on a polished silver-leaf ground.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.

Metropolitan Museum of Art