For the fans of African shields
 

One of the very last Nigerian acquisitions. cca 135 x 100 cms
Regards,
Martin

Fantastic piece Martin! This old photo shows a similar shield and should be from the Mambila I think?

Yes, Mambila. I also like it and value it a lot.

Did you read this book before? "Tribal Studies in Northern Nigeria"? It has lot of information on this people group and some nice photos. :)

http://books.google.cz/books?id=iUkV...ambila&f=false

Not yet, Thanks for good reference.
Regards,
Martin

I'm afraid the whole book is not available online but the chapter about Mambila is so we are lucky! :)

A BEAUTIFUL SHIELD AND A WORTHY CENTERPIECE FOR ANY COLLECTION. CONGRADULATIONS :D

Thank you Vandoo, I was looking for it intensively 4 years

I DOUBT YOU COULD HAVE FOUND A BETTER ONE IF YOU HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR 50 YEARS. :D
THIS EXAMPLE WAS OBVIOUSLY MADE BY A FIRST CLASS SHIELD MAKER NOT A LESSER ARTIST. ONLY SOMEONE WITH WEALTH OR POSITION WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD SUCH A SHIELD. I AM SURE THIS MUCH WORK DID NOT GO INTO MAKING THE AVERAGE EVERY MANS SHIELDS.
THE USE OF THE PURPLE DYE IS INTERESTING DOES IT HAVE ANY SIGNIFICENCE IN AFRICA? THE TUREG USE A DARK BLUE DYE FOR THEIR ROBES BUT THIS APPEARS MORE PURPLE WHICH IN EUROPE WAS A COLOR RESERVED FOR ROYALTY. ITS ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO SEE THE BEAUTY OF SUCH ITEMS EVEN IF THEY WERE MENT FOR WAR. IN THE CASE OF YOUR SHIELD I AM GLAD THERE ARE NO SPEAR OR BULLET HOLES IN IT AS THAT DOES ADD CHARACTER BUT DESTROYS BEAUTY.

The shield allegedly belonged to one of chiefs (the family had two and they sold one). As far as colours are concerned, I do not know, but it would be interesting to know the meaning... (I know (not only) the colour of the shields played a role in the case of Masai shields.)