Terrs. The Omani Battle Shield. A Buckler.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 29th January 2016, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kubur

Salaam Ibrahiim,

For me it's a star not a cross.
The star is a common symbol in Islamic lands.
One question, where did you find your previous document, the drawing?
Thanks

Kubur

Salaams Kubur,
The drawing is not initially attributed except that it appears as an image after searching for Omani Shield. In fact it is attributed to omanisilver.com only as a written reference not as a picture. From that reference it indicates it is from The commander of a French Frigate Capt Guillaine...in the mid 19th C. from his writing. see www.omanisilver.com

Star or cross... the Ethiopian version is called the Ethiopian cross though I agree it's a star shaped cross..Perhaps the shape mirrors the star cluster called the Southern Cross? Moreover my question is attached suggesting the link to The Ethiopian Cross..and perhaps to where it was manufactured.

In fact the question is virtually self answering as I note from Omani Silver.com Quote" Joseph Osgood in 1850 stated that many of these shields were turned at Zanzibar for Northern markets". Unquote....It can be seen that the shields are subjected to a turning or lathe effect cutting the essential grooves and ridges etc.I think therefor that more than one location was into making these shields and no reason why Zanzibar was not involved.....however, my point concerns the brass rectangles...Be they Ethiopian Crosses or what?

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

kahnjar1 · 30th January 2016, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams Kubur,
The drawing is not initially attributed except that it appears as an image after searching for Omani Shield. In fact it is attributed to omanisilver.com only as a written reference not as a picture. From that reference it indicates it is from The commander of a French Frigate Capt Guillaine...in the mid 19th C. from his writing. see www.omanisilver.com

Star or cross... the Ethiopian version is called the Ethiopian cross though I agree it's a star shaped cross..Perhaps the shape mirrors the star cluster called the Southern Cross? Moreover my question is attached suggesting the link to The Ethiopian Cross..and perhaps to where it was manufactured.

In fact the question is virtually self answering as I note from Omani Silver.com Quote" Joseph Osgood in 1850 stated that many of these shields were turned at Zanzibar for Northern markets". Unquote....It can be seen that the shields are subjected to a turning or lathe effect cutting the essential grooves and ridges etc.I think therefor that more than one location was into making these shields and no reason why Zanzibar was not involved.....however, my point concerns the brass rectangles...Be they Ethiopian Crosses or what?

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

The Southern Cross is only visible in the Southern Hemisphere. Ethiopia is in the Northern Hemisphere.

Andreas · 30th January 2016, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams Kubur,
The drawing is not initially attributed except that it appears as an image after searching for Omani Shield. In fact it is attributed to omanisilver.com only as a written reference not as a picture. From that reference it indicates it is from The commander of a French Frigate Capt Guillaine...in the mid 19th C. from his writing. see www.omanisilver.com

The plate is from Voyage à la còte orientale d'Afrique : exécuté pendant les années 1846, 1847 et 1848 par le brick le Ducouëdic, sous le commandement de M. Guillain : album.
Here’s another interesting plate from this publication, with the caption Soldats irreguliers du Sultan. Arabes d’Oman de la tribu des Beni-m’-hhaoen.
Andreas

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 30th January 2016, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andreas

The plate is from Voyage à la còte orientale d'Afrique : exécuté pendant les années 1846, 1847 et 1848 par le brick le Ducouëdic, sous le commandement de M. Guillain : album.
Here’s another interesting plate from this publication, with the caption Soldats irreguliers du Sultan. Arabes d’Oman de la tribu des Beni-m’-hhaoen.
Andreas

Salaams Andreas, Thank you for posting these excellent pictures which I have often alluded to before but without knowing the original book from which they came...I believe these are of the first form of photography.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 31st January 2016, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams Andreas, Thank you for posting these excellent pictures which I have often alluded to before but without knowing the original book from which they came...I believe these are of the first form of photography.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

The type of picture was a daggeurotype...These began appearing in 1840 and present unique evidence to the ethnographic research student. The process can be viewed at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daguerreotype A short write up can be viewed at http://www.wayfarersbookshop.com/sho...p?txtBOOK=1443 against a backdrop of a picture Zanzibar harbour..

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Jim McDougall · 1st February 2016, 12:34 AM

Most interesting notes on these cross like fixtures on the Omani terrs, and as has been noted, these issued in pairs on the shield are clearly intended not only as decoration but to secure the holding strap.

Earlier there was a note questioning if the cross would be something which would appear on a Muslim item. Actually, the 'cross' , while of course having a well known presence in Christianity, in this case is probably much as the forms of cross known among Tuareg tribes which are not intended as a religious symbol but directed to the four cardinal directions of the compass.
These Tuareg crosses, most commonly known as 'the cross of Agadez' (in Niger), were prolifically produced (at least 21 types with certain tribal significance) since the 16th c.
They were of course heavily traded and certainly would have been present in routes trans Sahara and into Ethiopia, then of course networked into Zanzibar.

With the Sunni Muslims among Tuareg tribes, these are often regarded as talismanic, the four arms to protect from evil 'from the four corners if the world' and the center representing God, the center of all.

As these types of cross were of this character and entered the trade systems into Zanzibar, it seems plausible that similarly shaped examples might have been added on these shields in that thought.

Another thought suggested for these, many of which are with the circle above, is that the Egyptian ankh may have had influence.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 1st February 2016, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Most interesting notes on these cross like fixtures on the Omani terrs, and as has been noted, these issued in pairs on the shield are clearly intended not only as decoration but to secure the holding strap.

Earlier there was a note questioning if the cross would be something which would appear on a Muslim item. Actually, the 'cross' , while of course having a well known presence in Christianity, in this case is probably much as the forms of cross known among Tuareg tribes which are not intended as a religious symbol but directed to the four cardinal directions of the compass.
These Tuareg crosses, most commonly known as 'the cross of Agadez' (in Niger), were prolifically produced (at least 21 types with certain tribal significance) since the 16th c.
They were of course heavily traded and certainly would have been present in routes trans Sahara and into Ethiopia, then of course networked into Zanzibar.

With the Sunni Muslims among Tuareg tribes, these are often regarded as talismanic, the four arms to protect from evil 'from the four corners if the world' and the center representing God, the center of all.

As these types of cross were of this character and entered the trade systems into Zanzibar, it seems plausible that similarly shaped examples might have been added on these shields in that thought.

Another thought suggested for these, many of which are with the circle above, is that the Egyptian ankh may have had influence.

Salaams Jim, Thank you for the post and excellent artwork ..It backs up my previous statement at #26 above that Among Tuaregs, the four most visible stars of Crux (The Southern Cross) are considered iggaren, i.e. four Maerua crassifolia trees. I refer to star formations also often seen on Berber\North African jewellery work...

In reference to the ancient Egyptian ankh see http://altreligion.about.com/od/symbols/p/Ankh.htm

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Jim McDougall · 1st February 2016, 04:44 PM

Absolutely Ibrahiim!!
As you well note earlier, the cross as a symbol or device, like many others, is often convergently known in many cultural spheres with equally diverse interpretations. Textiles and materials typically carrying extensive motif often incorporate these various symbols and devices profusely, and offer us many opportunities to compare to such detail on weapons as noted here.

Good work on the astronomy as well, and while I know the Southern Cross term is I think of course key to our friends 'down under' in Australia and New Zealand, the constellation is of course also well known far to the north.
As in many, perhaps most, ethnographic societies it seems cosmological themes are well observed in lore, tradition and folk religion.

As you point out, the character of these devices on the terrs seems to reflect Ethiopian influence. Perhaps these Agadez crosses, or even the ancient Egyptian ankh, may have filtered into the crafts of artisans there?
The diffusion of these kinds of nuances through centuries of trade of course has no bounds.

1st February 2016, 12:34 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Most interesting notes on these cross like fixtures on the Omani terrs, and as has been noted, these issued in pairs on the shield are clearly intended not only as decoration but to secure the holding strap. Earlier there was a note questioning if the cross would be something which would appear on a Muslim item. Actually, the 'cross' , while of course having a well known presence in Christianity, in this case is probably much as the forms of cross known among Tuareg tribes which are not intended as a religious symbol but directed to the four cardinal directions of the compass. These Tuareg crosses, most commonly known as 'the cross of Agadez' (in Niger), were prolifically produced (at least 21 types with certain tribal significance) since the 16th c. They were of course heavily traded and certainly would have been present in routes trans Sahara and into Ethiopia, then of course networked into Zanzibar. With the Sunni Muslims among Tuareg tribes, these are often regarded as talismanic, the four arms to protect from evil 'from the four corners if the world' and the center representing God, the center of all. As these types of cross were of this character and entered the trade systems into Zanzibar, it seems plausible that similarly shaped examples might have been added on these shields in that thought. Another thought suggested for these, many of which are with the circle above, is that the Egyptian ankh may have had influence. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 1st February 2016 at 08:38 AM.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

1st February 2016, 04:44 PM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Absolutely Ibrahiim!! As you well note earlier, the cross as a symbol or device, like many others, is often convergently known in many cultural spheres with equally diverse interpretations. Textiles and materials typically carrying extensive motif often incorporate these various symbols and devices profusely, and offer us many opportunities to compare to such detail on weapons as noted here. Good work on the astronomy as well, and while I know the Southern Cross term is I think of course key to our friends 'down under' in Australia and New Zealand, the constellation is of course also well known far to the north. As in many, perhaps most, ethnographic societies it seems cosmological themes are well observed in lore, tradition and folk religion. As you point out, the character of these devices on the terrs seems to reflect Ethiopian influence. Perhaps these Agadez crosses, or even the ancient Egyptian ankh, may have filtered into the crafts of artisans there? The diffusion of these kinds of nuances through centuries of trade of course has no bounds.