Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5

Nigerian Mofu Patterned Metal Shield, c. 1850

About the Item

The Mofu tribe of Nigeria was particularly famed for their metal shields. Expertly forged, the defenses provided by metal far outstripped the wood and reed shields employed by many other tribes. As their craft developed, the Mofu began hammering out intricate geometric patterns. These subtle textures are invisible from a distance, allowing the simple form its own sculptural presence. As you approach the complex patterning emerges, offering a second rich experience of this unique object.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 37.5 in (95.25 cm)Width: 23 in (58.42 cm)Depth: 3 in (7.62 cm)
  • Style:
    Tribal (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Metal,Twine
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1850
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: CAA04291stDibs: LU82009041003
More From This SellerView All
  • Nigerian Afo Hoe Currency, c. 1900
    Located in Chicago, IL
    In many pre-colonial regions of Africa, iron was so valuable that tools often doubled as currencies for rare but significant transactions. This large iron form is a currency piece from the Afo peoples of northern Nigeria, and is modeled after the blade of a hoe. Used to till the hard soil and harvest crops, the hoe was highly valued as a symbol of the community's reliance on the earth and traditional agriculture. With its clean lines and irregular surface texture, the currency blade...
    Category

    Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Art

    Materials

    Iron

  • Red Lacquer Architectural Fragment, C. 1850
    Located in Chicago, IL
    This antique architectural fragment beautifully exemplifies the textured wear and soft patina that only time can achieve. Given its cusp...
    Category

    Antique Mid-19th Century Southeast Asian Wall-mounted Sculptures

    Materials

    Wood

  • Chinese Sign of Honor, c. 1850
    Located in Chicago, IL
    A 19th century northern Chinese sign of honor presented to an esteemed scholar on his 80th birthday. The large characters in the center read (from right...
    Category

    Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens

    Materials

    Elm

  • Miniature European Wax Portrait, c. 1850
    Located in Chicago, IL
    Wax is one of the earliest known mediums for portraiture. Miniature wax portraits were first invented in Italy during the 16th century and remained exceedingly popular around the wor...
    Category

    Antique Mid-19th Century European Wall-mounted Sculptures

    Materials

    Wood

  • Chinese Sign of Honor, circa 1850
    Located in Chicago, IL
    Signs of honor were presented as a gesture of gratitude to individuals who had bettered their community or in acknowledge of a respected person’s birthday. The sign would have been h...
    Category

    Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens

    Materials

    Elm

  • Chinese Pearl of Wisdom Valance, c. 1850
    Located in Chicago, IL
    This architectural valance from the 19th century is beautifully carved in multiple dimensions with lotus, flora, and fruits on the vine and centered with a pearl of wisdom. It beauti...
    Category

    Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Wall-mounted Sculptures

    Materials

    Elm

You May Also Like
  • Electroplated Lawn Bowls Trophy Shield
    Located in Oxfordshire, GB
    Antique Lawn bowls trophy shield centerpiece. A wonderful bowls electroplated metal plaque with decorative sides and ends. This was probably made a...
    Category

    20th Century English Sporting Art Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

    Materials

    Metal

  • Sainte with Shield, 18th-19th Century
    Located in Virum, DK
    A sainte with shield. A Renaissance carved oak figure, standing in a later oak niche, 18th-19th century.
    Category

    Antique Late 18th Century European Religious Items

    Materials

    Oak

  • Vintage Metal Parking Lot Number Signs
    Located in Topeka, KS
    We are offering here 23 vintage metal parking lot number signs. They are in differing degrees of condition and patina but all wonderful. We have priced the...
    Category

    20th Century Industrial Wall-mounted Sculptures

    Materials

    Aluminum

  • Antique Industrial Foundry Pattern for Mold Handmade Wood, Number 10
    Located in Topeka, KS
    Incredible antique handmade wood industrial foundry pattern. A single rectangular form with multiple smaller rectangles. This was created to make the sand cast molds for casting an iron sewage grate or other type grill. It is in wonderful antique condition with fabulous patina from all its years of age and use, circa late 19th century. Wow! This antique industrial foundry...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century American Industrial Wall-mounted Sculptures

    Materials

    Wood

  • Antique Industrial Foundry Pattern for Mold Handmade Wood, Number 11
    Located in Topeka, KS
    Incredible antique handmade wood industrial foundry pattern. A single long narrow slatted form. This was created to make the sand cast molds for casting an iron sewage grates or other type grill. It is in wonderful antique condition with fabulous patina from all its years of age and use, circa late 19th century. Wow! This antique industrial foundry...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century American Industrial Architectural Models

    Materials

    Wood

  • Antique Industrial Arched Foundry Patterns for Molds Handmade Wood, Group 3
    Located in Topeka, KS
    Incredible arched antique handmade wood industrial foundry patterns. These were created to make the sand cast molds for casting iron sewage grates. There are five patterns in this gr...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century American Industrial Architectural Models

    Materials

    Wood

Recently Viewed

View All