 | An image should appear at this position in the text. To use the entire page scan as a placeholder, edit this page and replace "{{missing image}}" with "{{raw image|A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 4).djvu/275}}". Otherwise, if you are able to provide the image then please do so. For guidance, see Wikisource:Image guidelines and Help:Adding images. |  |
Fig. 1317. The "Cellini" Shield
The Louvre School. The Windsor Armoury
Shield of Windsor." There has been in the past considerable controversy as to the nationality of this chef-d'œuvre of the armourer's art. Italy and Spain have both had credit for its production; but no doubt now exists as to its French origin, and it is most certainly the work of that distinguished artist whose name up to the present has remained undiscovered. The shield is of steel, circular and slightly convex in form. From the centre springs an ornamented boss terminating in a spike. The decoration, which is carried to the highest possible pitch of refinement, consists of embossing in low relief, in surface chasing, and in magnificent gold and silver damascening; overlaying,
