Wooden Heater Shield for Painting 43x30cm (17x11.6in) - Outlet

Wooden Heater Shield for Painting 43x30cm (17x11.6in) - House of Warfare

Shape and Material for Your Project

The shield features the traditional heater shape, popular for centuries among knights and warriors. It is crafted from wood (typically durable plywood for stability and shape retention), giving it an authentic look and providing an ideal base for your artistic creations. The shield measures approximately 43.2 cm (approx. 17 inches) in height and 29.5 cm (approx. 11.6 inches) in width, making it a manoeuvrable and practical defensive tool. Its surface is left in its natural wooden state, ready for your paint, drawings, or other decorative techniques.

Comfortable to Carry and Versatile

On the back, the shield is equipped with two sturdy leather straps. These straps are designed for a secure and comfortable hold on the forearm. Their arrangement allows you to wield the shield with either your left or right hand, giving you flexibility in combat and when creating your character. The shield is fully functional and easy to manoeuvre.

Show Your Creativity and Courage

This shield is more than just a piece of wood; it's a canvas for your story and a symbol of your identity.

Custom Painting and Personalization

Unleash your imagination! Paint your family crest, your guild's emblem, magical runes, or any other design that represents you or your character. The possibilities are endless.

Medieval and Fantasy Costumes

Whether you're heading to a medieval faire, a fantasy festival, or a carnival, this shield will perfectly complement your costume as a knight, mercenary, elf, or any other warrior.

LARP and Light Combat Practice

Thanks to its construction and strapping, the shield is suitable for LARP (live action role-playing) and for lighter combat practice, where it will provide necessary protection while enhancing your role.

Decoration with a Personal Story

After the battle or event, your uniquely designed shield can become a distinctive decoration for your home, club room, or den, telling the tale of your adventures.

History of Heater Shields

Development and Use in the Middle Ages

Heater-shaped shields became popular during the High Middle Ages, roughly from the 12th to the 15th centuries. They evolved from earlier, longer Norman kite shields into a more compact form that better suited knights in plate armour. They were primarily made of wood, often covered with leather, canvas, or parchment, and then reinforced and decorated with a layer of gesso and paint.

Heraldry on Shields – The Knight's Calling Card

It was on these shields that the art of heraldry fully flourished. Coats of arms painted on shields served to identify knights on the battlefield, where faces were often obscured by helms, and at tournaments. The colours, figures, and symbols on a coat of arms spoke of the bearer's lineage, family, and achievements.

Did You Know? The Shield as a Personal Banner

Did you know that in the Middle Ages, a shield bearing a coat of arms was practically a knight's personal banner or calling card? It not only protected him but also clearly and visibly announced his identity. Losing one's shield in battle was considered a great dishonour, while capturing the shield of a prominent opponent was a mark of great prestige.

Keeping Your House of Warfare® Shield a Treasure

This shield is a quality branded product from House of Warfare. To ensure your wooden shield serves you well and retains its beauty, especially if you adorn it with your own artwork:

• Keep Dry: Wood is sensitive to moisture. Protect the shield from rain and prolonged exposure to damp environments to prevent warping or damage to any paintwork.
• Protect Your Artwork: If you paint your shield, consider applying a protective varnish (matte or gloss, according to your preference) to seal the paint and protect it from wear and moisture.
• Cleaning: Remove dust and dirt with a dry or very slightly damp soft cloth. Avoid aggressive cleaning agents.
• Storage: Store the shield in a place with stable temperature and humidity, ideally hung or propped up to prevent deformation.

Technical Specifications

• Product Type: Wooden Shield for Painting, Heater Shape
• Manufacturer: House of Warfare
• Material: Wood (Plywood)
• Height: Approx. 432 mm (43.2 cm / 17 inches)
• Width: Approx. 295 mm (29.5 cm / 11.6 inches)
• Straps: Two leather straps on the back for forearm attachment (ambidextrous for left or right hand)
• Surface Finish: Natural wood, unpainted
• Intended Use: LARP, costumes, decoration, light combat practice, DIY projects