A kanta shield for restauration

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by asomotif

Hello Detlef,

Nice catch indeed.
The rattan across the front and around the edges seems to be all there.
That is a great plus.

I would suggest to start with restoring the bone inlays and the nassa shells, and than take some time to see if that gives a satisfying result.

I think that by restoring the hair, there is a big risk that it will get a "too new" or "too obviously restored" appearance.

Good luck anyway , and would love to see the results in due time.

Best regards,
Willem

Hello Willem,

thank you and a very good suggestion and something what I've in mind also.
I've download all pictures from kanta shields I've found in the net and by nearly all is hair and also some of the inlays from bone and the nassa shells missing. I think to start with the bone inlays, this will give the shield already a much better appearance. Most of the nassa shells are present and maybe I don't will recruit to much of them. The same with the hair, I don't think it will be good to "refill" all empty holes, like said, the above shown shields missing hair as well. But a little bit more as it has in the moment will be ok to let it look good again.

Best regards,
Detlef

[Maurice]

Congratulations Detlef,

a nice and old kanta!

Here some (unfortunately bad) photos of a kanta from the Bronbeek museum in Arnhem, which I took about 5 years ago.

Best regards,
Maurice

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Maurice

Congratulations Detlef,

a nice and old kanta!

Here some (unfortunately bad) photos of a kanta from the Bronbeek museum in Arnhem, which I took about 5 years ago.

Best regards,
Maurice

Hi Maurice,

thank's! The one from the Bronbeek museum is very bulky and has a unusual design when you compare it to the other shown examples. And it has also missing inlays and hair. Thank you for showing this example again, it will help to restore my one.

Best regards,
Detlef

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hi Maurice,

thank's! The one from the Bronbeek museum is very bulky and has a unusual design when you compare it to the other shown examples. And it has also missing inlays and hair. Thank you for showing this example again, it will help to restore my one.

Best regards,
Detlef

Hi Detlef,

Yes very bulky and unusual design compared to other shown examples.
But I'm sure this one is from a very old collection, but can't recall from which.
If I find out I'll let you know.
I just wanted to show a very old kanta in a museum, also with some shortcomings, that belongs and is normal for the old pieces we collect. :-)

Kind regards,
Maurice

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Maurice

Hi Detlef,

Yes very bulky and unusual design compared to other shown examples.
But I'm sure this one is from a very old collection, but can't recall from which.
If I find out I'll let you know.
I just wanted to show a very old kanta in a museum, also with some shortcomings, that belongs and is normal for the old pieces we collect. :-)

Kind regards,
Maurice

Hi Maurice,

when you look intent to my example you will see that the inlays also different from the other shown examples.
And for sure I don't want to "over"-restore this shield, it don't will get a new black paint on the surface and I think that I don't will add/restore the nassa shell inlays. But think that it will need to restore the most bone inlays and also some hair to give back the shield character.

Best regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Have received some much better pictures from Robert to whom I let ship the shield. The pictures show that the surface is still black and they show also the very good patina of the shield. The triangular inlays seems to be indeed from bone.

[VANDOO]

PERHAPS YOU CAN FIND AN 80 YEAR OLD MAN OR HORSE WITH LONG HAIR THEY WILL PART WITH. THEN YOU COULD TRULY SAY IT WAS A OLD REPLACEMENT. RESTORED OR AS FOUND IS ALWAYS A HARD DECISION BUT A GOOD RESTORATION DOES MAKE THEM LOOK GOOD.