A 15th Century Targe

Photos by Wendy McLean

A German targe, ca. 1450, from the Musee de l'Armee, Paris. The eagle depicted on the face is raised into relief with gesso, and the back shows the staples where straps for the neck and arms were once attached. The side view gives a good view of the concave profile of the shield. Clicking on each image will give you an enlarged view.

Note that there is another staple, visible in the side view, towards the bottom of the shield to the left of center that is hidden by the vertical post in the rear view.