Description: A WOOD, METAL, LEATHER AND LACQUER PARADE SHIELD
Venice, second half of the 16th century
36,5 cm diameter
Circular convex shape, on the exterior a central umbone surrounded by four applied floronsd, along the edge and inside gold grid bands on the red lacquer background.
Provenance: Italian private collection.
This shield is a rare example of a Venetian production in the second half of the sixteenth century, in which it was experimented - with success - the use of a varnish that imitated the effect of Asian lacquer. Shields such as this one were used exclusively on occasions of representation, such as parades and religious festivals.