Turtle Shell DHAL SHIELD
Origin: Rajasthan
Date: 19th Century
Size: TBC
Ref: SD18025
Price: SOLD
An unusual Rajasthani Dhal made of Turtle shell from the 19th century.
The ornate shield is of convex form with upturned edges and is set with four solid silver bosses with open work decoration rendered in geometric design.
Complete with a silver crescent traditionally referred to as the “Aad Chand” as a homage to the Chandravansh, the Lunar Dynasty of the Kshatriya warrior clans. The Chand can also be seen as a nod to Shiva, the deity of destruction and transformation in Vedic tradition who is often depicted wearing a Chand.
The shield features two inscriptions in Devanagari script rendered on the Chand.
Line 1 reads: A:D: BAID
Line 2 reads: Prasakaran Dhana Raj B:B D Raja la ? ? (last two letters are yet to be deciphered)
Both lines are names and although it is executed in the same stippled technique as Line 2, Line 1 was added later, indicating that both lines are a dedication to previous owners at different points in the shields history. The last name “Baid” references someone who belongs to the physician caste. In Line 2 the words “Dhana” means wealth and “Raj” means king. It could be part of the dedication to the owner being someone of lofty and royal status. “Dhanaraj” is also a common Rajasthani last name.
A highly collectable Dhal full of character, interest and considerable aesthetic appeal.
