Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 4).djvu/268

 composition on this shield is poor German art, and compares very unfavourably with the restraint which is so apparent in the works of the Negroli. The shield is circular and convex, with a fine black patine and of the very richest decorative ensemble, embossed and inlaid in gold. In the centre there is a rosette with a point surrounded by a wreath of laurel, which in its turn is surrounded by a narrow band bearing the following inscription in German:

German, 1552. The work of Desiderius Kolman. Made for Philip II of Spain A 241, Royal Armoury, Madrid

In the field, symmetrically arranged, are four circular medallions surrounded by laurel and myrtle and containing allegorical subjects, the meaning of which it is difficult to construe. The figures would appear to represent