Pavese Shield Blank (Tartsche) – Historical Precision Down to the Millimeter

German-quality blanks. The ideal base for shields used in show fights!

 

Description

Dimensions

• Width: 55 cm

• Height: 75 cm

• Thickness: 1 cm

(Dimensions may vary slightly as the pavese shield blank is handmade)

 

Delivery time: 2 weeks from order (sometimes faster if the workshop’s workload is low)

We also offer DIY kits for shield making. Details here.

 

Features of Our Blanks

The pavese blank is made from glued laminated wood: the base consists of 3 layers of 3 mm poplar plywood. To increase stability, we put linen fabric between the plywood layers.

 

Tips

Our pavese shield blank is ideal for further finishing. There are several options for customization: you can cover it with linen and reinforce the edges with rawhide, or cover the entire shield with rawhide. This base takes acrylic paint very well, allowing you to decorate the shield.

If desired, you can also attach a soft padding for the forearm to the handle – this cushions impacts and increases wearing comfort.

 

Historical Background

Due to changing battle tactics, from the 13th century onward, foot soldiers had to develop their own shield form, independent of cavalry. The Pavese (or Tartsche) has been considered the shield of infantry since the 14th century. The Pavese was particularly popular among crossbowmen. Large standing paveses were placed in front of the shooters as a protective wall. Lighter versions could be worn on the back, offering protection while bending over to draw the crossbow.

This shield type likely got its name from the city of Pavia (Italy), which according to legend is the birthplace of this shield. In Germany, this shield type is most commonly referred to as “Tartsche.”

Our reconstruction of the Pavese was based on two shields by the master Hans von Siebenbürgen (1463), which we were able to examine at the Munich City Museum, as well as a Tartsche (presumably from the late 16th century) from Trausnitz Castle in Landshut, for which the Bavarian National Museum provided us with documentation.

At that time, paveses were either carved from a single tree trunk or glued together from wooden slats with linen reinforcement. These techniques are extremely labor-intensive and expensive. That’s why we have developed a more affordable but equally robust solution – laminating plywood with linen inserts. Thanks to our technology, we can offer you a historically accurate form at an affordable price.