Shield with the Arms of Barbo [reverse]
![Shield with the Arms of Barbo [reverse] by Roman 15th Century](https://images.artheonmuseum.org/nga/thumb/shield-with-the-arms-of-barbo-reverse-nga-44693.webp)
Medium
bronze
Dimensions
overall (diameter): 3.47 cm (1 3/8 in.) gross weight: 31.25 gr (0.069 lb.) axis: 7:00
Classification
Sculpture
Department
CSD
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Samuel H. Kress Collection
Accession Number
1957.14.800.b
Art Historical Context
This exquisite bronze shield, crafted in Rome around 1455, measures just 3.47 cm in diameter—small enough to fit in the palm of your hand—yet it embodies the refined artistry of the early Italian Renaissance. Produced by an anonymous Roman workshop, its reverse side (as indicated in the title) likely complements heraldic designs on the obverse, featuring the arms of the noble Barbo family. At a mere 31.25 grams, this lightweight sculpture highlights the period's mastery of bronze casting, a technique perfected in Renaissance Italy for durable, intricate objects like medals, plaquettes, and sma...