African artifact warrior weapon shield

Description

Amarro Leather Shield, Ethiopia
Made of Hippopotamus (
Hippopotamus amphibius
) hide.
Diameter: 30 in (75 cm)
Southern Central region of Ethiopia.
Late 19th/early 20th century.
For peoples in the peninsula of northeast Africa, hide-covered shields connote the courage of warriors and are important insignia of manhood. Among the Oromo and Sidaama peoples of southern Ethiopia, such shields are made of buffalo or, more rarely, hippopotamus hide, as this shield, by skilled specialists who mount the hide over a concave frame embedded with stones.
The reverse has a thick semicircular leather handle affixed to the shield with leather bands.
The shield shown is a rare find, authentic, displaying a dark brown patina that bespeaks a century of use. A really fine round example with high relief bump pattern, and intricate surface purposeful pattern that may distinguish the status of the owner.
It has no modern restoration or alteration.
Very
good condition with traces of usage obtained in battle. Private collection, received by actual tribesmen as a gift
in mid 60’s.