THESE SHIELDS WERE CARRIED BY MEN OF RANK AND THUS WERE A SIGN OF ATHORITY AND STATUS. THEY WERE USED FOR STATE OCCASIONS MOSTLY AND OFTEN PRESENTED BY THE KING TO INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE PROMOTED OR SERVED THE KING WELL. THERE IS A NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE THAT HAS PICTURES OF THE INUGARATION OF HALLE SELASI IN ABYSENNIA THAT HAS SEVERAL GOOD PICTURES OF THESE SHIELDS. I DOUBT THESE SHIELDS WERE USED IN ACTUAL WARFARE, THEY DO MAKE A BEAUTIFUL WALL DISPLAY ALONG WITH A NICE SWORD. I AM SURE WHEN THE CLOTH WAS STILL IN FULL COLOR AND THE METAL SHINEY AND NEW A LARGE GATHERING OF CHIEFS WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY BEAUTIFUL AND EYE CATCHING.
PERSONALLY I LIKE THEM
