Shield. - Sidamo/Arussi. - Ethiopia

These very thick leather shields - intended for hunting and war - were crafted by specialized artisans. They stretched a piece of hide with stakes on a convex wooden form in which stones arranged in radiating spokes and bumps were set: the relief obtained is the origin of the label “turtle-shell” that these shields suggest. Once dried in the sun, the shield was tanned and oiled. As it dried, the edges formed a handsome hem. The artisans then made very fine parallel incisions visible in close-up photos. Sometimes, as on this specimen, bands of red ochre completed the decoration.

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

Shipping by Colissimo registered “bulky”.