240108 - Metal African Ethiopian Ras shield - Ethiopia

Old Ethiopian Metal Warrior shield with decorations.
Diameter: 42 cm.
This shield is from end 19th century Ethiopian Ras
The front is lined with red velvet and richly decorated with metal elements.
The conditions are those shown in the photos and it has some faults.
Ethiopian Warrior ras shield with decorations
Old Ethiopian Ras shield made of metal and cotton, engraved and hammered brass panels, and a cylindrical shield boss at its peak.
Ethiopian shields come in variety of designs and decorations (beads, silver strips etc.). They are made of various media that include, wood, metal, vegetable fiber (rattan or raffia).
The visual effect, the functionality and practical purposes of the piece dictated the form a shield should take. A good shield should offer a maximum of protection. The material used should be strength and durable. Almost all peoples of Africa made usage of the shield. In many cultures, shields like this were known as a defensive weapon, used by the warriors during combat. Shields were also displayed as emblems of status or rank and also as accessories of dance during festival or commemorative ceremonies or after a victory.
See a similar example in the Musee Dapper's CHASSEURS ET GUERRIERS; AFRICA: The Art of a Continent, edited by Tom Phillips, (See p. 126 in the above-referenced volume and also, p. 69 in African Shields by Dieter Plaschke and Manfred A. Zirngibl,) see also Marc Ginzberg. AFRICAN FORMS, pp. 168, 171