What: A shield from the 18th or 19th century, covered in blue velvet with applied silver-gilt embossed and filigree mounts, with a commemorative brass plaque

Where: The Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Rd, Knightsbridge, London SW7 2RL

The catalogue entry reads: “This shield was taken by the Royal Naval Brigade serving with British troops at the siege of Magdala (Mek’dala) in 1868. It was placed on loan at the South Kensington museum (later renamed the Victoria and Albert Museum) by the Lords of the Admiralty in 1868.”

Museum number:
M.24:1, 2-2005