Quest. about oriental round shield (Rondache)
 

Hi
Allow me to introduce myself ,
My first name is Dominique, either Dom
I’m French (nobody is perfect ), not a great specialist or expert in ethnographic arms & amour,
but 35 years of the Middle East (EG, KSA, KW, UAE) & Great Maghreb (DZ, LY), associated to a natural curiosity for weapons, made that without being a collector, I nevertheless tried to gather some white arms & amour parts where ever I was residing

Moreover in here is a round shield (Rondache) about which I wish to ask for some questions about it's was bought in the 80’s from Jeddah KSA,
I have of make restore the central part in brass which had disappeared,
average restoration (in Egypt ), the replacing cabochon is of a size lower than the original in sight of tracks left by the precedent
with your opinion;
- that it’s could be his origin;? Yemen, Persia? or ?
- datation, I think circa XIX or any beginning of XX ??
just f.y.i., I reconstituted myself the leather belts

best regards

http://cjoint.com/?lbbLZiXPwb
http://cjoint.com/?lbbQqs3LTQ
http://cjoint.com/?lbbQ2vmxuo

Welcome Dom!

Don't worry - most of us aren't experts either. :o

To me your shield looks to be possibly from around Pakistan or Baluchistan, and made in the mid-late 20 century. I base this on the type and amount of decorations on the shield, the use of brass, and the sharpness of the cuts in the brass.

It would have had padding inside inbetween the leather pieces, in the middle. Nice leather braiding.

Interesting piece. the style of decoration is very different to Indian dhals and Iranian Sipars. I won't even try and guess where it's from originally. :)

Shield
 

It is Aceh from Sumatra.

Interesting, I don't think I've seen an Aceh shield before. Is it a ceremonial piece or were these shields actually used in combat?

I don't think this shield is from Aceh. The ornaments on the shield don't look Aceh to me. Persia or India is probably a better direction.

Lets wait for the shield experts to give their opinion.

I doubt it's Iranian or Indian, have seen quite a few dhals and sipars, the style of decoration is very different.

I have seen some examples from Pakistan and Balukistan region that are very similar. No, it is not your usual dhal or sipar, and definitely not from Sumatra.

Aqtai , Aceh shields were carried as part of the weaponry . Agreed , this is not from Aceh .
Here are some Acehnese fellows that look like they are about to go on patrol or have just returned ; the shield is evident .

My apologies to anyone I may have copped this picture from as I can't remember the source . :o