constructing and mounting a porpax

[Giannis K. Hoplite]

The shield itself was constructed buy putting planks of wood together and then giving shape with a lathe. At least this is how the only surviving examplenow in the Vatican museum was constructed. Please do a search here on RAT and you'll find much detail. The straping system was probably additional aid to keep the planks together. Actually the typical vertical archaic straps of the porpax must had exactly that purpose,as they were separate from the porpax itself. Now this shield has not only vertical but also horizontal straps and also a circle,much like the one Kineas painted on his shield! And all these are pure gold,not bronze. I can't remember if these were separate layers under the armgrip,but most probably yes. One thing not very visible from this pphoto is that the straps were sculpted with different godesses and animals. But this was the case with some archaic porpakes,too.
Khaire
Giannis