Figure of Eight Shield - Minoan and Mycenaean Aspis Type - Ancient Greece - Marble Base - Museum Replica - Pure Bronze Sculpture

Item Specifics

Condition: New, Made in Greece.
Material: Pure Bronze
Height: 18 cm - 7,1 inches
Width: 10,5 cm - 4,1 inches
Length: 5,5 cm - 2,2 inches
Weight: 750 g

The most common type of Achaean body-shield was the figure-at-eight shield. It is represented on pottery, wall-paintings and sculpture both as defence weapons and decorative motif or cult symbol.This shield was probably composed by two internal bow-shaped piece of wood fastened to form a cross. Several layers of toughened bull's hide (*5) were glued and stitched to a wicker structure. In a couple of "Warriors' graves" from Haghios Joannis and Knossos dated around the middle of 15th century BC several fragments of copper wire shaped as staples have been found. These wires could have been used to joint together the several layers of hide of a body-shield and it is more likely the only survived element of a perishable material body-shield used in that time. A rim probably made of leather or bronze was normally placed around the shield as well as a longitudinal central reinforcement which based on some colourful representations it could have been made of bronze, tin or wood. Internal grip and baldric were used by the warrior to properly handle the shield.