Edge of a Large Greek Shield

The decorated frieze is delineated, at the bottom, by a line in low relief and, at the top, by engraved stripes: the pattern, which was embossed by hammering from the interior, is repeated fifteen times without a variation. Each unit, obtained by using the same (wooden?) matrix, presents small differences probably due to the wear, to the storage conditions, or to a sometimes irregular or less emphasized orienting from the armorer. It is composed of five figures that are slowly walking towards the right of the viewer: three infantrymen, dressed like hoplites (a Corinthian helmet, a short chiton, a large circular shield, a spear, perhaps a breastplate), are followed by two figures carrying a package, a square-profiled bucket, a situla and a secondary spear. Each scene takes place in a wooden landscape, where plants separate the figures. Several varieties of trees include two pomegranate trees laden with fruits, and perhaps a laurel and an olive tree. Birds resembling pigeons or crows populate the leafy branches, while huge grasshoppers with perfectly rendered bodies climb on the tree trunks.