Antique Iron Arm Shield – Kabye Tribe – Northern Togo

Early 20th century. Iron. Cm. 57,5 x cm. 10,0 (22.64″ x 3.94″). Grams 907,8 (32.02 oz.).

This beautiful item is a sort of elongated shield with the two ends curved to the outside.The central part contains two thin archlike segments that have been put there so as to enable the object to be worn as an arm shield.

Some examples, like this one, still retain some cloth padding around the two middle segments. While entirely functional, it was more of an object of prestige worn during dances and ceremonies.

The back side shows characteristic brush scrathces, deliberately manufactured. The front shows a complex patina which demonstrates significant age.

For more information and sililar examples:

– Ballarini, The Perfrct Form: On the Track of African Tribal Currency, 2009;

– Blandin, Fer Noir. D’Afrique de L’Ouest, 1992.

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