16th CENTURY ITALIAN ETCHED AND FIRE GILT PARADE SHIELD, CIRCA 1580.

Revised: 10/15/2013

Please Note: Ray Petry who at one time owned this shield contacted us and he had written a letter for Dr. Sirkin indicating that the shield was 16th century based on a description as represented in “Armour and Arms” City Art Museum of St. Louis 1954, page 14, Figure 15.

16th CENTURY ITALIAN ETCHED AND FIRE GILT PARADE SHIELD, CIRCA 1580. This extraordinary shield is etched and fire gilt. Fire gilding is a process in which an amalgam of mercury and gold is painted onto steel and then heated, driving off the base metal and leaving the gold. This shield has six panels featuring riders on horseback, naked women, monsters, satyrs and characteristic 16th century mannerist ornaments. Rivets, many of which appear original, are bronze covered iron. Rim is folded in as is found on period pieces. Spike is properly forged and appears original to piece. By the end of the 16th century powerful firearms had made shields obsolete on the battlefield, but beautiful specimens such as this were proudly carried in martial parades in cities throughout Italy. NOTE: Raymond Petry is one of America’s foremost authorities on European arms and armor and is respected as such by museums throughout America and Europe. His imprimatur on the authenticity of this shield should put to rest any questions about it being of the period 1580. PROVENANCE: Raymond Petry, PA, 2007. Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Shield decoration retains much original bright fire gilding. Inside of shield is deeply patinated and show marks of the smith’s hammer. A museum number in red lacquer “47:27” appears as well. 4-50059 MZ23 (5,000-10,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2497	$2,587.50	Revised: 10/15/2013 Please Note: Ray Petry who at one time owned this shield contacted us and he had written a letter for Dr. Sirkin indicating that the shield was 16th century based on a description as represented in “Armour and Arms” City Art Museum of St. Louis 1954, page 14, Figure 15. 16th CENTURY ITALIAN ETCHED AND FIRE GILT PARADE SHIELD, CIRCA 1580. This extraordinary shield is etched and fire gilt. Fire gilding is a process in which an amalgam of mercury and gold is painted onto steel and then heated, driving off the base metal and leaving the gold. This shield has six panels featuring riders on horseback, naked women, monsters, satyrs and characteristic 16th century mannerist ornaments. Rivets, many of which appear original, are bronze covered iron. Rim is folded in as is found on period pieces. Spike is properly forged and appears original to piece. By the end of the 16th century powerful firearms had made shields obsolete on the battlefield, but beautiful specimens such as this were proudly carried in martial parades in cities throughout Italy. NOTE: Raymond Petry is one of America’s foremost authorities on European arms and armor and is respected as such by museums throughout America and Europe. His imprimatur on the authenticity of this shield should put to rest any questions about it being of the period 1580. PROVENANCE: Raymond Petry, PA, 2007. Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Shield decoration retains much original bright fire gilding. Inside of shield is deeply patinated and show marks of the smith’s hammer. A museum number in red lacquer “47:27” appears as well. 4-50059 MZ23 (5,000-10,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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