Fifteenth-century German shield; painted with a pelican with her boy; Elongated fifteenth-century German shield; probably a footman's shield; with concave sides. An increase of 13 cm wide runs in the middle from top to bottom. Completely covered with dark red leather; the front painted with the representation of a black pelican; poking itself in the chest with its beak above a nest with four young ones feeding on the falling drops of blood. In a four-lobed frame; surrounded by plant; flower and abstract motifs. Holes in the shield at three places; through which straps come off the handle; held by thick pieces of leather. The handle on the back consists of a vertical piece of wood; pierced at the top with a horizontal stick; the whole wound by a leather strap; plaitably braided. Two nails hold a second leather strap; which is broken off on one side.; anonymous; Europe; 1400 - 1500; wood (plant material); iron (metal); leather; linen (material); braiding; h 66.3 cm x w 41 cm x d 8 cm