This is a large shield wall plaque after Leonard Morel-Laudeuil made in the mid-20th Century by Corolay. The original shield was designed by Leonard Morel-Laudeuil in 1866 for the 200th anniversary of Milton’s Paradise Lost as an example of their beautiful design work to be entered in the Paris Exposition in 1867. The ‘Milton Shield’ won first prize in the competition. The original shield is in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Elkington Company made many forms of this shield, with most being silver-plate over copper. This example is made of composite, sometimes described as agate, but likely made of ground stone and quartz in a layered technique to achieve this beautiful full relief colorful version of this piece of art, to provide the appearance of cameo.

The top center of the shield shows God overseeing all. The central portion, most prominent in relief features the Archangel Gabriel telling Adam and Eve about the war in heaven between God and Satan. The lower central portion shows St. Michael overcoming the Satan and sending him to Hell. On the left side is a depiction of the angels in heaven and the right side a depiction of the lost souls in hell.

The shield measures 33” high and is 23” wide. The shield weighs 31 pounds! It includes a wire on the back to allow it to be hung on the wall. It is in overall very good condition and ready to hang.

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