Shield (Adarga)
Unknown Artist
probably mid-18th century
Medium
Leather, pigment
Dimensions
H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm); W. 19 1/2 in. (49.5 cm); Wt. 2 lb. 11 oz. (1219 g)
Classification
Shields
Culture
Mexican
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913
Accession Number
14.25.752
Tags
Art Historical Context
This striking *Shield (Adarga)*, crafted in mid-18th-century Mexico, exemplifies the fusion of European military traditions and New World craftsmanship. Measuring just 19¼ inches high and 19½ inches wide, and weighing a mere 2 pounds 11 ounces, this lightweight leather shield was designed for agility in combat, likely wielded by cavalry during the colonial era. Made from leather hardened and decorated with vibrant pigments, it reflects practical artistry suited to Mexico's diverse terrains and the demands of Spanish colonial forces. The adarga form traces its roots to Moorish influences in Sp...