Shield. - Sidamo/Arussi. - Ethiopia

These very thick leather shields - intended for hunting and war - were made by specialized artisans. They stretched a piece of hippopotamus skin with stakes on a convex wooden form in which stones arranged in rays and bumps were set: the relief thus obtained is the origin of the name "en carapace de tortue" that these shields suggest. Once dried in the sun, the shield was tanned and oiled. As it dried, the edges formed a neat hem. The artisans then carved very fine parallel incisions visible in close-up photos. Sometimes, as on this specimen, bands of red ochre completed the decoration.

Beautiful specimen with signs of use dating from the first half of the 20th century.

Shipping via Colissimo recommandé "volumineux".