Shields were the tools of defense. Even called as a part of an armor, these are basically held in the hand and used to ward off the blows. It would protect the body against harsh blows & sharp weapons in wars & battles. Shield making was considered a craft. The Knight shields were found in varied shapes & sizes such as round, oblong etc. Some were designed elegantly while others would look monstrously huge and grotesquely ornate. Generally, the shapes would display arms in pictures & legendary stories. The additional ornamentation done featuring the king's logo and war motifs would further add strength & power to these body protection tools.

An extension of warrior's armor, shields are manufactured by master shield makers. Used mostly as decorative purposes now, shields are still being produced in large numbers, keeping the art alive. Made mostly of iron metal, these have varied designs differing from country to country. Indian shields were made of a broad piece of a rigid material, metal or wood or even hard leather. They can be strapped to the arm or held in hand.

Shields have their history as well varying from civilizations & countries. The famous ones are :

• African Shields
• Egyptian Shields
• German Shields
• Greek Shields
• Medieval Shields
• Roman Shields
• Scottish Shields
• Viking Shields