Old Datooga-Taturu Shield – Tanzania

First half 20th century. Cm. 40,5 high x cm. 46,0 width (15.94″ x 18.11″); grams 636,0 (22.43 oz). The Datoonga shields are made of very thick pachyderm leather giving this characteristic colour. Constructed in typical oval form along a robust, vertical wooden strut. The leather of the shield is integrated into this...

Old Shield – AMHARA – SIDAMO – Ethiopia

Diameter cm. 53; Depth cm. 23 The region Amhara is extends over the ancient provinces of Bégemder, Godjam and includes a part of the ancient province of Wollo. The Amhara people speak about ” the Amharic “, official language of Ethiopia. Amhara shields in former times were carried by the Kaffa, a...

Oryx Hide Somali Shield – Gãschãn – East Africa

19th century.  Bleached and incised oryx leather. Diameter cm. 36,5 (14.37″). The hide is incised with geometric patterns. Somali Shield Somali warriors carried an iron spear, a short sword called a belawa, and a shield called a gãschãn. Typical small Somali shields are made from giraffe or oryx and are concealed with concentric circles...

Tebu Knife – Libya

Early 20th century. Steel blade, leather and copper handle, hide scabbard. Cm. 38,0 in length (14.96"); the blade is cm. 24,7 in lenght (9.72"). Weight: grams 241,2 (8.51 oz.). The Toubou people have historically lived in northern Chad, northwestern Niger and southern Libya. The Toubou people are distributed across a large area in...

Kirdi Shield – Cameroon

Cow hide cm. 70,0 high x cm. 41,0 width (27.56″ x 16.14″). This is a classic shield shaped from the Kirdi of Cameroon. Has a rectangular raised centre with a double compass design around. There are hundreds of bumps throughout the front, creating a textured sculptural object. The name of Kirdi – which...

Berber Gun Powder Flask – North Morocco

Early 20th century. Leather, The piece is cm. 17,8 high (7.01"); grams 644,0 (22,72 oz.). Berbers are the indigenous ethnic group of North Africa. They are continuously distributed from the Atlantic to the Siwa oasis in Egypt, and from the Mediterranean to the Niger River.The name Berber appeared for the first time after the...

Chokwe Fighting Axe – Angola

Early 20th century. Iron, wood. Cm. 29,0 high (11.42"); weight: grams 184,0 (6.49 oz.). Very good condition. A small fighting axe of the Chokwe people from Angola. Steel blade in perfect condition showing no significant oxidation.