Battle shield ·  Ethiopia, Southwestern Region, Amarro, Ometo, Arussi · ID: 3050158

Description

animal skin, thick black patina (mixture of earth and ox blood),

These shields were crafted from the hides of the rhinoceros, buffalo or hippopotamus in a laborious and time consuming process.

The creators are believed to be the inhabitants of the islands of Gatame and Gidico in Lake Abaya, who usually received food, tools and other essentials in exchange for the shields.

The shields were used by the Amarro, who were known to be particularly warlike, the Arussi and Gurage.

The object Battle shield with the object ID 3050158 was part of the auction 101st Auction on November 11, 2023. The object with the lot number 89 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,800 with an asking price of EUR 800.

You can find more Shields and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.

Comparing literature

Schädler, Karl-Ferdinand, Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture, Munich 2009, p. 34 AHDRC 0176765 (Bowers Museum 2021)

Publications

Zirngibl, Manfred A. & Alexander Kubetz, "panga na visu", Riedlhütte 2009, p. 241, ill. 581