A gold koftgari steel shield (dhal) North India, 18th/ 19th CenturyA gold koftgari steel shield (dhal) North India, 18th/ 19th Centuryof convex form, chiselled and decorated in gold overlay with a band of interlinked roundels containing floral sprays, gold koftgari inscription, four applied openwork bosses decorated in gold overlay with vegetal motifs, engraved vine issuing from one boss, the reverse with metal-thread-embroidered velvet lining and cushion 51.6 cm. diam. Inscriptions: akbar.A shield with similar chiselled decoration and velvet lining is in the National Museum, Delhi (Acc. No. 58.45/13).