O'Donovan targe, 16th century

Product description

This round shield is a decorative replica in the tradition of the 16th-century Gaelic-Irish targe, inspired by the shields of the O'Donovan clan from County Cork. Irish and Scottish Gaelic-speaking clans maintained close bonds for centuries, and their shield traditions ran parallel, though each region developed its own distinctive characteristics.

The shield is constructed from wood and leather, finished in a deep reddish-brown hue with a geometric pattern of pointed, star-shaped segments radiating outward from the centre. Brass rivets and a decorative steel boss at the centre emphasize this design and together create an attractive edge.

This type of shield grew out of Spanish and Italian rotella shields that were popular during the Renaissance, a development that fits within the broader European context of the Jacobite wars and tensions between Catholic and Protestant Europe. Compared to metal shields, this type was considerably cheaper and more resistant to the damp climate of the highlands. Following the Disarming Act that came after the Battle of Culloden in 1746, many original examples were destroyed; what remains comes largely from noble owners or captured pieces. This shield is intended for decoration and as an educational object for re-enactment, not as combat equipment.