A Painted wicker shield (Kalkan), Turkey, Second Half 17th Century

the wicker body of domed circular form, mounted with a metal umbo in centre, decorated with red and cream pigments featuring stylised foliate and geometric motifs, pierced with ten rivets with flattened heads visible from the front and loops to reverse with attached plaited leather straps, reverse lined with green linen

Ex. European aristocratic collection, taken as booty from the Ottoman army at the second seige of Vienna in 1683

Couleurs d'Orient, Brussels, 2010

Brussels 2010, p.15

In general good condition, the painted decoration slightly faded, knocks to extremities and some wear and tear consistent with age, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Such wicker shields, particularly efficacious against archer attacks because of their lightness, were still carried on campaigns in eastern Europe in the later seventeenth century, a long time after the musket had become the favoured weapon of the enemy (Geneva 1995, p.151).

The symbolic strength of such shields, with their bright red ground and cream-painted motifs, were valued as emblems of the Golden Age of the Ottoman Empire. This shield belongs to a group of which were captured during the second Ottoman seige of Vienna in 1683, where even though the battle had been lost, it remained a strong emblem of power.