Shield
Kenya, Masai
Vendu
220 €
Provenance
collected in the 1970’sHeinz Albert Karl Felix (1921-2008)
Taille
H: 92 cm
H: 36.2 inch
Description
cow or buffalo hide, oval form, the rims lined and strengthened by leather stripes, a carrying pole along the middle is tightly tied to the back, the convex curving of the shield is achieved through leather straps stretched from the middle to the top and bottom, painted on the front, min. dam., traces of abrasion and usage;
young warriors, not yet considered to be the equals of the older, were allowed just the use of black motifs on their shields. Only a man who had proven his bravery was allowed the colour red.