Buckler (Targa)
1550/75
Medium
Wood, leather, and iron
Dimensions
26.7 × 24.1 cm (10 1/2 × 9 1/2 in.)
Classification
shield
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
116301
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Fencing masters trained students in the art of using the small hand shields called bucklers since the early Middle Ages. This Italian type called a targa came into use around the 16th century. Its wavy profile was designed to capture and divert thrusts and cuts.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...