kirdi shields

nKante · 1st November 2023, 10:45 PM

I was wondering if anyone had any information about how the Kirdi shields are constructed. I have a feeling that the raw hide is laid on soft ground and an embossed wooden form was pushed into the back of the hide, creating the designs on the front. But that is only a guess.

Martin Lubojacky · 2nd November 2023, 07:56 AM

I think it will be something similar to how hide shields were made by some ethnic groups living in the territory of today's Ethiopia, for example Arussi, Gurage, Amarro Ometo. Allegedly, they first pickled the hide in something and then used a wooden hoof and also hammer knocking. And during this operation they continuously rubbed it with oil. But I don't have that confirmed, I just heard it somewhere. In any case, the production techniques have already been forgotten and the imitations produced today are easily recognizable.

Tim Simmons · 2nd November 2023, 12:30 PM

I think the old leather ones might have been made like a leather sandwich filled with fibres?

1st November 2023, 10:45 PM	#1
nKante Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Philly Posts: 72	kirdi shields I was wondering if anyone had any information about how the Kirdi shields are constructed. I have a feeling that the raw hide is laid on soft ground and an embossed wooden form was pushed into the back of the hide, creating the designs on the front. But that is only a guess.

2nd November 2023, 07:56 AM	#2
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	I think it will be something similar to how hide shields were made by some ethnic groups living in the territory of today's Ethiopia, for example Arussi, Gurage, Amarro Ometo. Allegedly, they first pickled the hide in something and then used a wooden hoof and also hammer knocking. And during this operation they continuously rubbed it with oil. But I don't have that confirmed, I just heard it somewhere. In any case, the production techniques have already been forgotten and the imitations produced today are easily recognizable.

2nd November 2023, 12:30 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	I think the old leather ones might have been made like a leather sandwich filled with fibres?