Question on Viking Shield Colours????

[Jeff T]

Hi everyone,

I have finally re-started work on my Seil Viking Figure, and after doing some searching for Viking Shield Patterns, i have noticed a lot of different colours that these have been painted by other modellers.

My question is, are there any particular colours that these were painted in, or is the general consensus that you can paint it any colour that you like.

I was just going to do it the same as the box art, but after looking at a few others, i wouldn't mind varying it a bit.

Also, are there any particular pattern designs that they predominently used?

Please excuse my lack of knowledge on the subject.


Any info will be much appreciated.
Cheers,
Jeff.

 

[megroot]

I think you have to make a decision for your own. As long as there are no birds, lions, etc i believe you can go flat out.
You can also choose for only woodcolor.

marc

 

[Mark S]

Hi Jeff,
As you would have found from your research there is little
archaeological evidence of shield colour because the shields were made of wood and obviously decayed quickly.
All that is usually found is the metal boss, rivets and nails.
However some small pieces have been found with red and yellow paint still apparant and some with yellow and black.
But even these clues were on shields that were included in ceremonial long boat burials so may have been purely
ornamental designs rather than typical viking shield
designs.
The current ideas on viking shield design I think are an
amalgam of the few historical clues and the evidence from
contempory cultures and educated guesses.
I'm sure there will be many others on the forum who could help you with more information.

 

[Einion]

...is the general consensus that you can paint it any colour that you like.

There is, but do bear in mind that a lot of modellers aren't accuracy buffs!

If you want to try to be accurate you'll need to throw away some of the preconceptions that build up from looking at painted miniatures, many of which for a start are done in colours that are simply impossible for the period.

...are there any particular colours that these were painted in...

Solid colours and basic geometric partitions (a good basic idea for those would be to look at early heraldic field divisions) would both have been very common. Pinwheels and spoked designs appear to have been used too, judging from sculptural representations. Here's a good site with historical info on various aspects of shields from around this period.

One of the great things there is the list of thicknesses, which is why I will nearly always scratchbuild a replacement shield to give a better impression of the right thickness - they should look very light, not like a tabletop! LOL

Einion

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Isnt the geomtric shapes more of a Saxon thing rather than Norse?
Not much is mentioned in the sagas regarding this? Or shields at all.

The serpent of Midgård and The Raven is mentioned. The former could be portrayed in many ways.

Although we know that blue and red were very popular colours for those who could afford it.

Many shields were covered with Elk-hide which could range from yellow-brown to dark-brown depending on age and treatment.

Cheers

 

[Steve]

What an excellent discussion and what valuable information being passed. My in-laws are Norwegian and I hope to do some Viking work for them; this is excellent information on a subject I know practically nothing about, save Kirk Douglas's "Hail Ragnar!" Thanks, guys.

 

[Jeff T]

.

Marc,Stiff,Einion,Janne and Steve, thank you very much for all the info you have given me on a subject that i know nothing about, it is very much appreciated.

I will take into account all the info and try and come to a final design so that i can get this figure finished.i now have more of an idea what to do.

Thanks again guys,
Cheers,
Jeff.

P.S.Stiff, what happened to the bowling comment at the end of your post, i got a laugh out of it!

 

[Uruk-Hai]

When rereading this thread I realize that I might have misunderstood Einions explanition about motifs and pattern.

I develop my answer this evening as Im at work at the moment.

Cheers

 

[Mark S]

I thought you may have heard that one a few too many times.
Anyway good luck with the Viking,mate.
They always make great figure pieces.

 

[Jeff T]

.

I thought you may have heard that one a few too many times.
Anyway good luck with the Viking,mate.
They always make great figure pieces.

No worries Mark, your right mate, i have heard it a few times over the years, but never on an Internet forum, so that was a first!

Cheers mate,
Jeff.