A northern Mexican cavalryman's leather shield (adarga), 2nd half of the 18th century The shield made of two layers of heavy cow hide stitched together, with raised, decorative seams arranged geometrically. The front painted in colour with the crowned coat of arms of the Spanish kings between floral and tendril ornaments on a red background. The old leather carry strap attached to the back. Dimensions 52 x 56 cm.Adopted from North Africa during the 13th century, the Moorish shield shape was long used as the Spanish horseman's shield. These shields were carried by the noble families of North Mexico until the late 18th century. Similar shields may be found in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum in New York (inventory no. 14.25.752) and the Royal Armouries in Leeds (object no. V98).Provenance: Hermann Historica, Auction 59, April 2010, selling price 11,500 euros. Previously in a private French collection.Condition: II +