The Celtic Dragon Targe was a labor of love. I wanted to combine Celtic knot work with Celtic dragons with a bit of Kells influence. The larger design on this targe worked great with these elements and turned out to be spectacular. This 18 in. round targe is 3/4 in. thich and weighs 9 lbs. It features tooled knots and Celtic Dragons. The brass boss in the center is hand hammered, and has a 7 in. removable brass spike in the center. This targe is...
After deciding that I would make myself a targe, I hunted the net looking for information. My search led me to Tandy Leather’s free targe pattern. It features a straight cross design with a circle of celtic dragons. The center boss is hand hammered solid brass. It is 19 inches around and weighs about 10 pounds. The front of the targe is covered in tooled leather. The back has a hide cover with the fur left on it. As well as tooled arm...
This is one of my favorite Scottish targes. I wanted to include Celtic elements and incorporate them around the cross. The center boss is hand hammered solid brass. It is 19 inches around and weighs about 10 pounds. The front of the targe is covered in hand tooled leather. The back has a hide cover with the fur left on it. As well as tooled arm and grip handles. It has a wood core. This targe is fully functional, but is intended as celtic art....
This targe was inspired by an early Celtic brooch that was unearthed in Great Britain. The brooch was dated from the 12th century. The center boss is hand hammered solid brass. It is 19 inches around and weighs about 10 pounds. The front of the targe is covered in hand tooled leather. The back has a hide cover with the fur left on it. This particular targe has adjustable arm and grip handles on it, this allows the targe to be worn or mounted on...
Celtic imagery and art tooled on a leather canvas
combining Celtic art and olde world Highland charm to create heirloom quality shieldsFrom the early 17th century until the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the Scottish Highlander’s main means of defense in battle was his targe. After the disastrous defeat of the Jacobites at Culloden the carrying of the targe would have been banned and many would have been destroyed, or put to other uses. Those that remain have intricate patterns and are well decorated, indicating that they could have originally belonged to important people.
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I do custom designs and artwork on leather. Please take a few minutes and browse the commissioned pieces below. There are endless applications for decorating yourself and your home with quality hand tooled leather. I can design and craft pieces individually tailored to your tastes. If you are looking for something specific on your leather targe, bracelet, sporran, or other leather goods then contact me at Mike@HighlandTarge.com.
