Jousting Shield (Stecktarge) with the Coat of Arms of the City of Deggendorf
1450/60
Medium
Wood, iron, leather, canvas, gesso, and paint
Dimensions
77.5 × 53.3 cm (30 1/2 × 21 in.)
Classification
shield
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
112052
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This large curved rectangular shield was developed especially for use with a lance. The jouster rested his lance in the cutout opening on the proper right, called a bouche or mouth. Such shields had been common in war, but by the mid-15th century they functioned more often in jousting, as targets. After tournaments these were frequently hung in homes or in public places to celebrate a noble family or, as in this case, a city.
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...