Shields were long used in ancient Egypt to protect soldiers from spears and arrows and to deflect blows during hand-to-hand combat. They were commonly rectangular in shape, made by stretching cow-hide or ox-hide over a wooden frame with a handle or a leather strip to grip. This model shield was discovered in 1903 with other votive weapon models inside the tomb of a nobleman named Nakhti, located at Asyut. Nakhti served as 'Overseer of the Treasury' and 'Sealer of the King of Lower Egypt' in Dynasty 12 and his tomb was one of the largest discovered at the site. The model shield is painted reddish brown with a black triangle. Its shape is typical for the time period, tapering towards the top into a curved edge.