Rundschild aus einem all'antica ensemble

Together with a burgonet surmounted by a winged dragon (inv. A 802), this shield functioned as an all’antica garniture. We may assume that Archduke Ferdinand II wore it at some court festivity during his tenure as regent of Bohemia. In the inventory compiled after his death in 1596, these pieces are listed as ‘A handsome round shield with damascened repoussé work, with it a helmet with a dragon in the same manner’ (Ain schöne rundell von tribner und tauschierarbait, darbei die hauben mit dem lindwurmb von der gleichen arbait).

In the centre is a depiction of Hercules wrestling with Antaeus. Hercules defeated the (almost) invincible giant by exploiting his one weakness. Antaeus was the son of Poseidon and Gaia, the personification of the earth, and his strength was replenished every time he touched the ground. By lifting Antaeus up in the air, Hercules was able to overcome him. This central scene is framed by vegetal and figurative grotesques. The broad rim features trophies, and in four oval fields scenes depicting David decapitating Goliath, Samson vanquishing the lion, Hercules asleep while the giant Cacus is stealing one of his cows, and Hercules slaying Busiris.

The reverse of the shield is particularly interesting, because its splendid lining has survived (see the back cover of this book). A ground of crimson satin has been lavishly embroidered with gold garlands, polychrome grotesques, and putti. Arranged along the rim are four framed ovals depicting stories from the life of Hercules, executed in polychrome silk embroidery: Hercules killing the centaur Nessus, Hercules battling the Lernaean Hydra, the centaur Nessus abducting Hercules’ wife, Deianira, and Hercules capturing Cerberus, the three-headed guardian of the gates of hell.