Antique Somali Shield – Gãschãn – East Africa – Outstanding Piece

19th century. Bleached and incised leather. Diameter cm. 33,7 (12.80″).

Exceptional quality shield in excellent condition.

The hide is incised with geometric patterns.

Somali warriors carried an iron spear, a short sword called belawa and a shield called gãschãn.

Typical small Somali shields are made from giraffe or oryx and are concealed with concentric circles and short parallel lines.

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