Shield
D. R. Congo, Topoke
sold
EUR 1,100
Provenance
Thomas Schulze, Berlin, GermanyMichel Thieme, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Size
H: 72,5 cm
B. 32 cm
H: 28.5 inch
B. 12.6 inch
Description
wood, rattan, roof-shaped, the back of the shield is covered with split bamboo-like reeds tightly bound together, decorated with wickerwork, min. dam., slight traces of usage and abrasion;
one of the oldest sources on the presence of wooden shields in this region is from H. M. Stanley (“Durch den dunklen Weltteil”, Leipzig 1881, vol. II, p. 288): “The shields were shaped like long rectangles, beautifully made from the bark of a palm tree and thus light, tough and impenetrable for knife and spear.”