Gun Shield
c. 1544
Medium
Steel, iron, wood, wool textile, and hemp fiber
Dimensions
Diameter 44.5 cm (17 1/2 in.) Wt. 10 lb. 9 oz. Caliber .56
Classification
combination weapon
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
106394
Art Historical Context
This remarkable *Gun Shield*, dating to around 1544, exemplifies the ingenuity of European arms and armor during the Renaissance. Classified as a combination weapon, it integrates a defensive steel shield with a built-in firearm of .56 caliber, reflecting the era's rapid evolution in warfare as gunpowder technology began supplanting traditional melee combat Measuring just 17½ inches in diameter and weighing a hefty 10 pounds ounces, it was designed for close-quarters protection, likely wielded by infantry or elite guards in the turbulent battlefields of 16th-century Europe. Crafted from stee...
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...