Rhino Hide Dhal

Object/Artifact

-

Leviathan: The Archit Patel Collection

The image presents a round shield, presumed to be crafted from rhino hide, featuring an earthy reddish-brown tone with visible textures and weathering. It is embellished with ornate golden studs arranged symmetrically around the center. The studs include larger circular designs and a smaller crescent moon detail, all featuring intricate patterns and a gleaming finish. Central to the shield is a less decorated area, possibly serving as the focal point for grip or armament attachment. This distinctive shield combines practical defense qualities with decorative elements, reflecting both aesthetic appeal and historical utility.

The image presents a round shield, presumed to be crafted from rhino hide, featuring an earthy reddish-brown tone with visible textures and weathering. It is embellished with ornate golden studs arranged symmetrically around the center. The studs include larger circular designs and a smaller crescent moon detail, all featuring intricate patterns and a gleaming finish. Central to the shield is a less decorated area, possibly serving as the focal point for grip or armament attachment. This distinctive shield combines practical defense qualities with decorative elements, reflecting both aesthetic appeal and historical utility.

Name/Title

Rhino Hide Dhal

Entry/Object ID

282; Full Code: 282.19.44-TL-IA

Tags

Tools, Gold Work

Description

This is an exceptional Dhal (traditional Indian circular shield), prized for its material and craftsmanship. The defining characteristic of this specimen is its semi-translucency when held against a light source, a hallmark of high-quality Rhino hide (Genda) that has been meticulously cured and processed. The Body: The shield is convex and circular, crafted from thick, boiled rhino hide. In its natural state, the hide is dark and opaque, but through a legendary Indian curing process involving oils and specific drying techniques, it becomes remarkably tough while achieving this amber-like translucency. The Bosses (Gulz): The face features four decorative steel bosses arranged in a square. These are adorned with gold Koftgari inlay in intricate floral and foliate motifs. Beyond decoration, these bosses serve as the anchor points for the internal grip handles. The Crescent (Chand): A gold-inlaid steel crescent moon is mounted above the top bosses. This is a common protective symbol in Indo-Islamic and Rajput arms, often associated with luck or divine favor. Reverse Side: The interior is fitted with a square velvet cushion (red) to protect the knuckles from impact. Four steel rings are attached to the bosses, through which the leather or fabric hand-straps are cross-threaded to provide a secure, dual-handed grip.

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Khooshal Dhanji & Sons

Date made

1850 - 1900

Time Period

19th Century

Place

City

Ahmedabad

State/Province

Gujarat

Region

Western India

Ethnography

Cultural Region

State/Province

Rajasthan, Gujarat

Region

Western India

Culture/Tribe

Rajput, Sikh

Dimensions

Dimension Description

18"

Material

Rhino Hide, Gold, Steel

Acquisition

Place

City

Udaipur, Rajasthan