Shield ·  D. R. Congo, Azande · ID: 3034649

Description

basketry with wooden frame and grip board backside, dark brown ground with patterns in light brown, min. dam., missing parts, traces of usage and abrasion;
shield patterns identified shield bearers during battle and owners were expected to maintain the “dignity” of their shields. After the troops return, the royal prince who had ordered the raid distributed captured enemy shields, as a means of showing his benevolence. He awarded them to outstanding warriors who regarded such a shield as a mark of distinction.

The object Shield with the object ID 3034649 was last part of the auction 73rd tribal art auction at May 25, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 353.

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

Zirngibl, Manfred A., Plaschke, Dieter, Afrikanische Schilde, München 1992, p. 104, ill. 93