Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 255:
African cultures developed the widest and disparate groups of shield forms. From classic roundexamples to more complex profiles, the shield always played an important role in the defensivearmament of African warriors. Shields from east Africa and the horn of African in particulargenerally had a circular shape. Similar shields of smaller dimensions and with a less pronouncedcentral button were carried by Somali warriors and called gaschan. Examples in the British Museum have a similar style of decoration and form as the example in the Schmiedt collection. These Somali shields were often smaller than those from neighboring Ethiopia, though they were created in a similar way. The first stage was to cut out a piece of untreated hide, then toplace it over a shaped wooden mold sunk firmly in the ground. Hair would be scraped off at thisstage from the hide, and the hide allowed to dry. Then several coats of oil would be applied overa period of days, causing the hide to swell, while at the same time being beaten with a mallet toachieve a tough and virtually impenetrable surface.The shield maker would then use a number of special hammers to apply embossed markings tothe supple surface before allowing the hide to dry out completely. Despite their small size, Somali shields are extremely strong and may be looked upon almost as offensive rather thandefensive weapons. They had a very large hand grip which would allow the owner to push theshield up his arm when not in combat.The significance of shields such as this example extended far beyond their purely functionalcapabilities. Possessing a fine, perfectly round and bleached white shield was an indication of aman’s standing in society. Some shields also have intricate designs, painted in henna, beneath thegrip on the reverse side. These were known as marriage shields and formed part of the dowrygiven by the brides father to his son-in-law. Similar shields were used in the Arabian Peninsula, and there is evidence to suggest they were made in Somalia for export, particularly to Oman.Further west in Ethiopia, the Afar/Danakil group from the Issa tribe, likely from the region nowthe country of Djibouti carried a similar shield alongside the traditional gile dagger or shortsword (see this catalog nos. 31 and 65), and these were formed of hardened leather with the handstraps composed of similar hardened leather. In Paschke and Zirngibl (1992), a picture of anAfar warrior from the period of 1901 is shown with a similar shield being carried alongside agile and a spear.Provinance – Schmiedt Collection.Diameter: 12"References:1. Stone, G. C. (1934). A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration, and Use of Arms andArmor in All Countries and in All Times. Mineola NY: Dover Publications.2. Spring, Christopher (1993). African arms and armour. British Museum Press.3. Paschke, D. and Zirngibl, M. (1992) Afrikanische Schilde / African Shields. PanterraPress.Detailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at [email protected]
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