AN EMBOSSED STEEL PARADE SHIELD

AN EMBOSSED STEEL PARADE SHIELD

IN THE STYLE OF ELISEUS LIBAERTS OF ANTWERP, 19TH CENTURY

of cartouche form, with a central oval panel depicting a classical battle with a cavalry action to the foreground, a clash of infantry beyond and a fortress in the distance; further panels depicting warriors and the allegorical figure of Victory; a horned mask with snakes above and a serene face below; the remaining field inhabited by bound captives and trophies of arms, with a scrolling border set with gilt and fluted studs

71.5 x 40cm

Provenance

Alfred de Rothschild (1842-1918) the Bronzina Room, Halton House, Buckinghamshire

Lionel de Rothschild (1882-1942)

Edmund de Rothschild (1916-2009)

The Trustees of Exbury House

Literature

Rothschild Archive, London, Manuscript: 000/174/C/3, Christie, Manson & Woods Probate Valuation of 'The Estate of Alfred C. de Rothschild, Esq. C.V.O. Deceased, Halton House Tring'. 1918. Listed as 'An Italian steel shield, chiselled with a battle scene, warriors, masks and strapwork and the ground damascened with gold 16th century, £200.0.0.''

Catalogue Note

Another example of this form of shield, purported to be after an original in the National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen, is held by Museo Stibbert, Florence. It may be compared to an example of Libaert's work produced for the coronation of the Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian II in 1564 and which is held in Skokloster Castle in Sweden.