Slitherine

Hi. After spending three days in Athens, I think that current micenic models, of every supplier, represents figure of 8 shields not that correctly. In the Archaelogical museum, there were many small representations of them, in clay, much more convex that current illustrations and models show. I think that well known representation in micenic wall-paintings don´t represent volume very well, and so actually, artists and modellers represent them very flat. In fact, I think that the central wood beam, with goes from the top to the bottom of the shield, was deeply arc-shaped. This, structuraly speaking, gives much more resilence to impacts with a lighter wood structure, which, considering the size of the shield, makes much sense.
Also, clay models of those shields show a pair of "holes" on both sides of the vertical beam, in the center, behind the "arc", which I think are the anchoring of some kind of bolt or mechanism to increase the tension of the skin, which may change due to weather (as a drum´s skin, I guess).
Has any of you seen those small clay models of figure of eight shields?

I agree with you, caliban66. I think this would create some molding and casting difficulties though, as the shields on the clay figures are not only steeply convex, but are also very deep.

http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/war/Armor/shield8b.jpg

I think many of the minis offer a compromise of accuracy and production practicality rather than error. The deep shields would be very striking though. I am periodocally tempted by the Minoan and Mycenaen armies simply because of their appearance. Well, that and a certain poem. The army as a system is far less interesting to me!

So do I, Skullzgrinda. So do I...

Skullzgrinda,

You are welcome to use my Mycenaen army at the New Orleans Holiday Tournament in December.

viewtopic.php?t=12029

We can talk more at Wolves from the Sea in a couple of weeks.

Hilton

CaryGrant wrote:Skullzgrinda,

You are welcome to use my Mycenaen army at the New Orleans Holiday Tournament in December.

viewtopic.php?t=12029

We can talk more at Wolves from the Sea in a couple of weeks.

Hilton

Thank you Hilton! I may well take you up on that very kind offer. Fingers crossed for making Wolves from the Sea . . .