Ethiopian ''dhal'' shield ??

francantolin · Today, 07:16 PM

Hello dear members,

Maybe in link with my other post about the african dagger,

I was today in a fleamarket and I found this old all waved leather shield 😁

I think/hope 19th century

Reasonable price so I bought it

Four iron bosses and eight smaller brass dots around.

For me it looks like an indian dhal shield ,
but the seller assured me that he took it back himself long time ago from Ethiopia...

What do you think ??

Kind regards

roanoa · Today, 08:12 PM

The shield is from India. No argument there. It could have found its way to Ethiopia, possibly at the time at the Napier's expedition. Everything is possible. So, in my opinion, if you believe the seller, the correct identification would be: INDIAN SHIELD BOUGHT IN ETHIOPIA. Having said that, it is a nice old shield, Cheers. Ron

Jim McDougall · Today, 08:21 PM

It is a good, solid Indian dhal, probably Rajput of course, and likely mid to late 19th c. The poor condition is historically wonderful!

How this ended up in Ethiopia is anybodys guess, if that indeed was the actual provenance...possibly the seller misremembered? This happens a lot with weapons acquired in groupings, even with museums.

As I have learned,it seems many people from India migrated to various African locations on the East coasts, and this might have been a family heirloom. Not sure of such extent in Ethiopia, but who knows?
Whatever the case, it is an Indian dhal, likely 19th c.

PS Roanoa we crossed posts

francantolin · Today, 08:57 PM

Thank's a lot Dear Ron and Jim !!!

My feeling ( and few knowledge ) were right ,
For the seller opinion;
or an amazing trip adventure for the shield
Or ''a momentary lapse of reason'' / Pink Floyd 😅

Kind regards

Today, 07:16 PM	#1
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 876	Ethiopian ''dhal'' shield ?? Hello dear members, Maybe in link with my other post about the african dagger, I was today in a fleamarket and I found this old all waved leather shield 😁 I think/hope 19th century Reasonable price so I bought it Four iron bosses and eight smaller brass dots around. For me it looks like an indian dhal shield , but the seller assured me that he took it back himself long time ago from Ethiopia... What do you think ?? Kind regards Attached Images

Today, 08:12 PM	#2
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 234	The shield is from India. No argument there. It could have found its way to Ethiopia, possibly at the time at the Napier's expedition. Everything is possible. So, in my opinion, if you believe the seller, the correct identification would be: INDIAN SHIELD BOUGHT IN ETHIOPIA. Having said that, it is a nice old shield, Cheers. Ron

Today, 08:21 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,943	It is a good, solid Indian dhal, probably Rajput of course, and likely mid to late 19th c. The poor condition is historically wonderful! How this ended up in Ethiopia is anybodys guess, if that indeed was the actual provenance...possibly the seller misremembered? This happens a lot with weapons acquired in groupings, even with museums. As I have learned,it seems many people from India migrated to various African locations on the East coasts, and this might have been a family heirloom. Not sure of such extent in Ethiopia, but who knows? Whatever the case, it is an Indian dhal, likely 19th c. PS Roanoa we crossed posts

Today, 08:57 PM	#4
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 876	Thank's a lot Dear Ron and Jim !!! My feeling ( and few knowledge ) were right , For the seller opinion; or an amazing trip adventure for the shield Or ''a momentary lapse of reason'' / Pink Floyd 😅 Kind regards