Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 4).djvu/262

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etching, but by a graving tool; indeed, they strongly recall the decoration on one of the suits of armour in the Tower supposed to have been worn by Henry, Prince of Wales, elder son of King James I. From which resemblance it may be inferred that the period of their workmanship was the same, that is, the first quarter of the XVIIth century. This shield, which is now in the Wallace Collection (No. 673), bears the signature of the maker beneath the central spike, the inscription running: HIER · SPACINVS · MEDIO · BON · FACIEBAT.; the translation of which is: "Made at Bologna by Geronimo Spacini of Milan."

Fig. 1306. Shield

The work of Geronimo Spacini of Milan. About 1590-1600. Wallace Collection (Laking Catalogue, No. 673)

It has a convex centre with a flattened border turned under at the edge to a roping, the contour being followed by a row of brass-headed rivets by which is secured, with brass rosette washers in the interior, part of the original blue velvet lining and fringe. The whole surface is decorated by compart-