Ethiopian Shield - request for translation from Italian

[Martin Lubojacky]

Hello, I acquired this shield (possibly Oromo?) at an international auction. Shields of this size (about 55 cm) often have a cracked edge, but this one is intact. There is an inscription on the inside - I would be grateful for help with translation.
Best,
Martin

[Montino Bourbon]

“Bought in Mafsana in the year 1887 ….” The rest is unclear.

[Montino Bourbon]

“Bought in Mafsana in the year 1887 ….” The rest is unclear. May say ‘In the weapons market”.

[Martin Lubojacky]

Thank you! (as far as Mafsana, unfortunately I cannot finf such a place on internet...)

[milandro]

it also says " from Nicola de Maria (probably) ufficiale ( in the part where the text is eaten) then ...something...

Mafsana doesn't appear to be a name that can be found on line

[philippe]

Hi, mafsana is Swahili for children... Hope it helps

[Martin Lubojacky]

Philippe, Milandro, Montino - thanks
It seems that (probably under favourable circumstances) a leather product can last in relatively good condition for a very long time... If it is true what is written on that paper, this shield is cca 140 years old.

[roanoa]

Very nice shield. I missed out on it.... Now, the "label" actually reads MASSAUA. The Italian used to write the double "S" that way. And the city was known as Massaua by the Italians, not MassaWa as it is commonly refereed to.
Hope this will shed some light on the issue. Cheers.

[milandro]

Massawa (or as Italians say Massaua ) is certainly a very good explanation.

I was born in Italy, am fluent Italian speaker and am experienced in old text but I've never came across any special way to write a double ss in Italian ( the use of F instead of S is medieval to maximum 18th century and common throughout Europe ).

The U looking like an n is very common, I write it like that too.

Regardless, Massaua complies with everything else indeed.


It certainly says " Nicola de Maria ufficiale dell'Esercito" ( and he uses here again the F instead )

[roanoa]

In Italic calligraphy it is called "LONG S". It is even used in English handwriting.

[Martin Lubojacky]

Dear Ron and Milandro. Thank you both very much for your help with deciphering
Regards,
Martin

[Ian]

Originally Posted by roanoa

In Italic calligraphy it is called "LONG S". It is even used in English handwriting.

Beautiful example of handwriting in the Copperplate font. I learned to write this font in the 1950s in Grade 2 using a pen and steel nib dipped in an ink well. We used specially ruled paper that guided the height for upper and lower case letters. Thick down strokes, thin up strokes. Long risers (b,d,f,h,k,l,) semi-riser (t), long descenders (g,j,p,q,y).