Shield ·  Ethiopia, Amarro · ID: 3033345

Description

animal skin, dark brown patina, circular form with punched straight lines and circular raisings, completely decorated with ornamental incisions, big handle on the rear, min. dam., traces of usage;
the large handles were already borrowed in the distant past from the double-handled Islamic round shields. The shields in use today invariably have only a single grip centered in the middle, so that it is possible to push the shield up the arm almost to the shoulder.
Frequently rubbing far into the shiny, darkly coloured surface ensured elasticity and resiliance.

Comparing literature

Zirngibl, Manfred A., Plaschke, Dieter, Afrikanische Schilde, München 1992, p. 69