ETHIOPIAN Shield for comments/info.

tom hyle · 23rd April 2007, 08:24 PM

These are said to be made from cattle or water buffaloe hide

Bill M · 24th April 2007, 01:09 PM

Looks like a strange, huge version of a Moro helmet.

If the handle was removable and a chin strap installed . . . . . . .

Nice sheild. I have never seen such a pronounced hump before. I really like it. If you ever want to part with it, please let me know.

I have several of these sheilds, and mine all have stitched places as though they were patched. If you look carefully at the one from Oriental Arms, it has several patches.

I always wondered why? Battle damage? Was the animal killed there by something sharp? Did it tear when they were forming and stretching the green leather? Something to make the sheild look more "real?"

One of mine has a rolled up edge. Makes it look like a Mexican sombrero. (With patches).

But most of the other leather sheilds I have do not have patches, even the Abysinnian and Turkana.

asomotif · 25th April 2007, 11:29 AM

Hi Bill,

the problem with collecting is that I always want more, and hardly ever want to part with nice things

Very bad for the financials, Trying to stick to Borneo, I know have 4 african shields.

According to Barbier / Mueller the shields with the extreme bump like this one are Zay or Gurage from south Ethiopia.
The Oromo shields are also very nice. if I bump into one at a good price I might be tempted again.

From galleries in Belgium and The Netherlands I received info that this type of shield (together of course with Oromo) are mostly made of Hippo.
Rhino and Elephant skin should have pronounced rinkles, such as the Bedja shield in 'Shields from Barbier Mueller'.
Buffalo seems to be a slightly thinner skin.

As for the repaired cuts.
This one also has a mark near the centre that looks like a cut, but has not been repaired.
I am not sure about the reason for these cuts. caused in a fight might be possible, but it looks like a typical thing for this type shield.

The shileds are made by stretching them over a mould with ridges and notches and than workin gon it to get it into shape.
The edges roll back as a natural reaction of the leather.
I can imagine that during this proces when the skin is fresh and wet the skin sometimes get cut and is repaired during the making already.
Is this a possibility

any other info from collectors about this ?
maybe examples from other collections can be put on the site ?

Thanks and best regards,
Willem

23rd April 2007, 08:24 PM	#1
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	These are said to be made from cattle or water buffaloe hide

24th April 2007, 01:09 PM	#2
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Looks like a strange, huge version of a Moro helmet. If the handle was removable and a chin strap installed . . . . . . . Nice sheild. I have never seen such a pronounced hump before. I really like it. If you ever want to part with it, please let me know. I have several of these sheilds, and mine all have stitched places as though they were patched. If you look carefully at the one from Oriental Arms, it has several patches. I always wondered why? Battle damage? Was the animal killed there by something sharp? Did it tear when they were forming and stretching the green leather? Something to make the sheild look more "real?" One of mine has a rolled up edge. Makes it look like a Mexican sombrero. (With patches). But most of the other leather sheilds I have do not have patches, even the Abysinnian and Turkana.

25th April 2007, 11:29 AM	#3
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,228	Hi Bill, the problem with collecting is that I always want more, and hardly ever want to part with nice things Very bad for the financials, Trying to stick to Borneo, I know have 4 african shields. According to Barbier / Mueller the shields with the extreme bump like this one are Zay or Gurage from south Ethiopia. The Oromo shields are also very nice. if I bump into one at a good price I might be tempted again. From galleries in Belgium and The Netherlands I received info that this type of shield (together of course with Oromo) are mostly made of Hippo. Rhino and Elephant skin should have pronounced rinkles, such as the Bedja shield in 'Shields from Barbier Mueller'. Buffalo seems to be a slightly thinner skin. As for the repaired cuts. This one also has a mark near the centre that looks like a cut, but has not been repaired. I am not sure about the reason for these cuts. caused in a fight might be possible, but it looks like a typical thing for this type shield. The shileds are made by stretching them over a mould with ridges and notches and than workin gon it to get it into shape. The edges roll back as a natural reaction of the leather. I can imagine that during this proces when the skin is fresh and wet the skin sometimes get cut and is repaired during the making already. Is this a possibility any other info from collectors about this ? maybe examples from other collections can be put on the site ? Thanks and best regards, Willem