Sudanese small shield with spear tip ?? on eBay

[katana]

This recently finished on eBay.....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3208496613...84.m1438.l2649

Has anyone seen anything like this before ? Fantasy piece, ceremonial or battle ready piece ?

What do you think ?

Pictures added for future reference.

David

[Sajen]

Hello David,

never seen something like this before. Is it a tortoiseshell covered with leather? The patina at the handle seems to be great.

Regards,

Detlef

[Rick]

I sure would like to see the critter that shell came from .

[Sajen]

On page 94/95 from the Benitez & Barbier book "Shields" is shown a shield from Sudan made from tortoise carapace.
Regards,

Detlef

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Sajen

On page 94/95 from the Benitez & Barbier book "Shields" is shown a shield from Sudan made from tortoise carapace.
Regards,

Detlef

Nicely done response Detlef!!! and with source, excellent match.
That is a great book on shields, which unfortunately I dont have, but it seems has the most comprehensive references on shields, and one of the few books on the topic.

Thanks for posting this David, something I had never seen before, another for the notes

All the best,
Jim

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Nicely done response Detlef!!! and with source, excellent match.
That is a great book on shields, which unfortunately I dont have, but it seems has the most comprehensive references on shields, and one of the few books on the topic.
All the best,
Jim

Thank you Jim. This book is a must-have for collectors of shields, a very good reference book of this topic.

Regards,

Detlef

[katana]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello David,

never seen something like this before. Is it a tortoiseshell covered with leather? The patina at the handle seems to be great.

Regards,

Detlef

Hi Detlef,
I believe leather covered turtle shell. Presumedly damp leather was fixed over the shell and as it dried, contracted tightly around it.
Thanks for posting the picture of the toitoise shelled example

Originally Posted by Rick

I sure would like to see the critter that shell came from .

I would imagine, probably less than the "critter" wanted to see the guy that thought 'you'd make a good shield'

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Hi

Its real enough - one of those unusual concoctions thrown up in the Mahdist period, most likely. I've seen a number....

Hi Colin,
thanks for the input. Price seemed excessive to me though.


Kind Regards David

[colin henshaw]

Hi

Its real enough - one of those unusual concoctions thrown up in the Mahdist period, most likely. I've seen a number....

[Alberto]

Hello to you all from a "rookie"!
As I bought the shield after a serious deal and I have it in my hands I can confirm that it definitely made from the bellyside of a turtle carapace; it looks a sudanese/dinka item , as well as the nice short barbed spear with reptile (monitor?) skin .
I already had a sudanese shield made from the same stuff with a decorated metal rim and indo persian like buckles to hold the handle in place, forced in an "horizontal" shape but showing exactly the same natural pattern.
Best regards, Alberto

[Iain]

I hadn't noticed this thread before.

This older thread may be of interest: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=2522

As well as this Dinka turtle amulet (complete turtle shell): http://southernsudan.prm.ox.ac.uk/de...9.20.130_c.jpg

And this Dinka croc skin shield: http://southernsudan.prm.ox.ac.uk/details/1979.20.116/

[Indianajones]

Hi, wel as I again noticed this thread I have just noticed such particular turtle shield used as an old souvenir-painting. This example is 32cm high.

It may require some 'carefull looking' to see its the same type of shield. See the ribbled surface and the dried remains of the skincovering. Lovely painting ahum ahum isnt it?!