![]() |
|
![]() |
#1 |
(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 3,191
|
![]()
Hi Tim,Freddy,Flavio and All
This just arrived today! An old African shield Sudanese or Somali? It measures about 14" across and has a lovely patina. The shield is in almost mint condition and is quite heavy for it's size. It seems to be made of hippo hide? Here are some shots mixed in with some period daggers and a sword. Let me know what you think? Lew |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,771
|
![]()
Hi Lew, thats a very nice shield excellent condition. I am sure these shields are used in Sudanese areas but they are normally listed as Somali and Ethiopian. There seems to be several versions of this type which are said to be made of Giraffe or Oryx hide. The one I have post is made of leather 5mm thick. The other shield, the leather is 12mm thick which is Hippo or Rhino skin. How thick is the leather on your example? How nice to have the related weaponry. Tim
Last edited by Tim Simmons; 28th June 2005 at 06:29 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 | |
(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 3,191
|
![]() Quote:
My shield is around 10-12mm also 3/8-1/2 inch thick. Is that a Somali sword I spy in the background? Lew |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,771
|
![]()
These pictures of Somali warriors show some of the varriation. Tim
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,771
|
![]()
Yes Somali, shortsword and knives .Tim
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Italia
Posts: 1,243
|
![]()
Hi Guys very beautiful items!! I haven't a shield to show
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,771
|
![]()
I have read that shields made in the horn of Africa were in use and exported as trade items to many neighbouring countries, I would imagine many weapons probably travelled some distance from centers of manufacture. Tim
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,771
|
![]()
I just got this today at a local junk market and thought I should add it to this thread. This completes the set of standard Somali warrior weapons for me. The sword, dagger, spear, shield, I have forgotten the club the warrior in the picture is holding.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 5,503
|
![]()
I am always surprised by Hadendoa daggers: at first blush they appear to be crude, but are usually incredibly sharp.
The handles are very well carved from hard wood and the blades are secured very well. What kind of wood did they use and how did they secure the blades? |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 | |
(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 3,191
|
![]() Quote:
The wood is called African Blackwood it's very dense it is more stable when it comes to shrinkage than ebony. Lew |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,712
|
![]()
The African blackwood used is actualy a Dalbergia specis. {Rosewood.} & is more resiliant & heaveir than most of the ebonies.
Lots of woodwind instruments are made of it. Spiral |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,771
|
![]()
The one I have, appears to have been glued into the hilt at the time of manufacture with some sort of organic glue or resin. I have just had another look with a jewellers loop and the glue looks very much like gum arabic. Tim
Last edited by Tim Simmons; 2nd July 2005 at 11:57 AM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,771
|
![]()
Lew look at the center of the boss on your beautiful shield, it too has the indentation of the jig, the concentric circles were not tooled/rolled into the leather freehand. I am getting more confident about my theory. The wheel was/is used across mediterranean N Africa and surely the red sea coast to include Somalia. This jig need only be a simple wooden structure. Tim
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
|