Southwestern Ethiopia
First half 20th century
Leather, pigment, vegetal fiber
10 x 4.5 x 1 in. / 25 x 11 x 2.5 cm
Height on custom display stand: 12.75 in. / 32 cm
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South Sudan
Leather, wood
Early 20th century
17 x 11 in. / 43 x 28 cm
This traditional shield is known as upwal is made from stretched hide with a vertical support pole that doubles as a handle. In later years, these shields were made of metal, which was considered lighter and safer. The criminalization of killing animals along with a ban on inter-clan warfare stopped the manufacture of leather and metal shields many years ago (Barbier, Boyer, Benitez-Johannot, Shields: Africa, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, 2000).
Domestic shipping included. International shipping quoted separately.
Kirdi, Podoko cultures, Chad, Cameroon
Early 20th century
Rattan, Leather, Raw Cotton
37 x 9 in. / 94 x 23 cm
Provenance: Ex. Andres Moraga
This raw, organic, tactile shield is from the border region of Chad and Cameroon. The shield is ingeniously designed, as the original raw cotton coating would have greatly diminished any blows.
What remains is a beautiful textural object.
Domestic shipping included. International shipping quoted separately.
Batammaliba culture, Republic of Benin or Togo, Africa
Early to Mid 20th C.
Wicker, natural fibers and leather
Dimensions: 13 dia. x 6.5 in./ 33 dia. x 17 cm.
Height on custom display stand: 17 in./ 43 cm.
This type of shield was used to deflect the strike of sticks or whips in ritual staged fights.
Beautifully made from hide and natural fibers with a textural and timeless modern form. The handle is attached with wicker stitching. Some fiber losses.
Shipping quoted separately.
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