Museum Exhibition
Defensive Display: Shields from The Met Collection
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
From May 12, 2025
This exhibit explores shields as defense and visual display, examining their style, construction, and how shape reflects regional and cultural origins.
Exhibition artworks
Representative work
Italian
Buckler (Targhetta da Pugno)
ca. 1550–75
Steel, gold
H. 13 1/8 in. (33.3 cm); W. 11 5/8 in. (29.5 cm); Wt. 2 lb. 15 oz. (1332 g)
View artwork at the museumFeatured works
German
Gauntlet Shield
ca. 1600
Steel, brass, leather
H. 28 1/4 in. (71.75 cm); W. 24 7/8 in. (63.18 cm); Wt. 13 lb. (5896.7 g)
View at museum
Italian
Fist Shield
16th century
Steel
H. 11 13/16 in. (30 cm); W. 11 13/16 in. (30 cm); Wt. 2 lb. 13.4 oz. (1286 g)
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German, Augsburg
Trellised Targe for the Tilt
ca. 1550–60
Steel, gold
H. 16 in. (40.6 cm); W. 15 in. (38.1 cm); Wt. 8 lb. 6 oz. (3800 g)
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British
Pistol Shield
ca. 1525 and later
Steel, wood, wool, brass
Diam. 18 1/2 in. (47.0 cm); Wt. 10 lb. 9 oz. (4791.1 g); Cal. .55 in. (13.97 mm)
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German
Shield for the Field or Tournament (Targe)
ca. 1450
Wood, leather, linen, gesso, pigments, silver
H. 22 in. (55.88 cm); W. 16 in. (40.64 cm); Wt. 4 lb. 12.15 oz. (2159 g)
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possibly Italian
Messenger Badge and Shield
badge, 1400–1450; shield, ca. 1800
Iron, copper, bronze, gold, enamel
Badge (a): L. 4 3/4 in. (12.1 cm); W. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm); Wt. 3 oz. (85 g); shield (b): L. 15 in. (38.1 cm); W. 12 1/8 in. (30.8 cm)
View at museum26 documented works in this exhibition
View all 26 documented works