Shield
View Similar Items
1 of 9
Shield
About the Item
History:
In traditional Africa, shields were used not only as defensive weapons, but also as decorative or ritual objects. This piece, however, was definitely used as a defensive weapon. Among the tribes found on the African continent, shields can be carved from wood, woven, made from a variety of hides and even metal. Most Ethiopian shields are made from water buffalo hide. They are wetted, stretched over elaborate wood forms, and dried. The hardened hide is extremely durable and protective. Shields of this sort were used by Ethiopian warriors through the 19th century.
This piece was used in the Battle of Adwa, which was fought on March 1, 1896. It was the climactic battle of the first Italian-Ethiopian war. Although the Italians were better equipped with firearms, the Ethiopians outnumbered them by as many as six to one, and their cruder weapons prevailed.
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 29 in (73.66 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Late 19th C.
- Condition:Excellent for an authentic piece. Native repair near the center and lower right in the form of stitching as shown.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:Seller: A0700-3541stDibs: 091217881121
You May Also Like
- Mid-20th Century Tribal Sleeping Mat, Dayak, Punan People, Kalimantan, BorneoLocated in Point Richmond, CAMid-20th century Tribal sleeping mat, dayak, Punan people, Kalimantan, Borneo A minimally patterned sleeping mat with subtle asymmetry. One small broken ...Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Tribal Tribal Art
MaterialsRattan
$900 Sale Price25% Off - Mid-20th Century Wool Baknough ‘Woman's head covering’ Berber People, LibyaLocated in Point Richmond, CAMid-20th century Wool Baknough (Woman's head covering) Berber People, Libya This wool baknough is most likely from Libya, although similar pieces have b...Category
Vintage 1950s Libyan Tribal Tribal Art
MaterialsWool, Cotton
$2,100 Sale Price30% Off - Mid-20th Century Tribal Baknough Woman's Head Covering, TunisiaLocated in Point Richmond, CAMid-20th century tribal baknough (woman's head covering), Chott Oulad Amar, Tunisia. This is an unusual baknough from a very small area on the Tunisian ...Category
Mid-20th Century Tunisian Tribal Decorative Art
MaterialsWool
- ARKO Wall Art14 Contemporary Art Japanese Craft Rice Straw Art Wall SculptureBy ARKOLocated in Shibuya-ku, TokyoHand-sewed rice straw art by ARKO. Title: Composition Marcato (B) This is one of the series named "Composition XX" Her works have the feelings of...Category
2010s Japanese Organic Modern Decorative Art
MaterialsCanvas, Thread, Straw
- ARKO Rice Straw Art Wall 20 Sculpture Contemporary Art Japanese CraftBy ARKOLocated in Shibuya-ku, TokyoHand-sewed rice straw art by ARKO. Title: Composition Marcato D Red Shadow This is one of the series named "Composition XX" The works that is mixed natural rice straw and red dyed...Category
2010s Japanese Organic Modern Decorative Art
MaterialsCanvas, Thread, Straw
- Conical Leather and Straw Tribal Fulani Hat, Mali West AfricaLocated in North Hollywood, CAConical leather and straw tribal Fulani hat, Mali West Africa Folk Art organic fiber hat with leather applications that comes from the Fulani people in West Africa. It is typically worn by the Wodaabe, a nomadic cattle-herder subgroup of the Fulani. The organic straw is covered in leather straps both at the brim and top and with decorative leather elements in the middle. At the very top of the hat there is a knob which is covered in leather. At the base of the hat there is a chinstrap. The hats were featured on dancers in the 2018 music video "All the Stars" by the artist Kendrick Lamar...Category
20th Century Malian Folk Art Decorative Art
MaterialsWood
