Late 19 th century Hide Shield used by Wa-Chaga
 

I am looking for old images from the end of the 19th century or beginning of the 20th century that would show this same type of shield

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collec...t/E_Af1904-232
Late 19 th century Hide Shield used by Wa-Chaga ( KILIMANJARO area)
British Museum, No Af1904,-.232.
Litt: Sultan to Sultan: May French-Seldon (1892) p. 277 amd 278.

MORE PIC

Looks a nice old piece. Must be quite heavy. You need some spears to go with it.

These are rare shields, I have only ever seen one for sale many years ago...

With a height of 91 centimetres and a width of 36.5 centimetres, this shield weighs 2640 grams so it is quite light.The wooden piece incorporating the handle has two elements with a flattened triangle cross-section, their lengths are different: 44& 33 cm starting from the handle.This seems to be the case also for the model illustrated in Sultan to Sultan: May French-Seldon (1892) p. 277, 278.

Here are three pictures, the first one from A. C. Tirri - Islamic and Native weapons (2007, page 24) and the old one from Benitez & Barbier - Shields (2000, page 120). This photo is shown in conjunction with image 3, the same patterns can be seen, but the contour and the handle are different.

Dear PETER
Thank you very much for this old photo, it is exactly the one I was looking for.
Is there a date mentioned for this picture?
I can now also associate this 19th century spear with this shield.
Best
Jean-Luc

Hello Jean-Luc,

Here is the complete description of the shield of picture 3 from my last posting including the old photo.
Here is also the reference list for this shield.
Unfortunately there is no date for the picture, just the date of publication.
Are you sure that the spears shown are the same as in your last picture? I think that the spears in the picture are missing the clear central rib of your specimen.

Dear Peter
again many thanks for the scans, you are right the central rib seems more pronounced than on the photo however the shape of the spear and the blade seem very similar.
Best
Jean-Luc

This is a Beja spear from Eastern Sudan.