£80 - £120
A 19TH CENTURY SOMALI WAR SHIELD.
Tribal Art interest. Made from oryx hide. Somali warriors carried an iron spear, a short sword called a belawa, and a shield called a Gãschãn. These shields were bleached white. Typical small Somali shields are made from giraffe or oryx hide and elaborately incised with concentric circles and short parallel lines. The sturdily constructed rim and paired handles allowed the bearer to parry blows and use the shield as an offensive weapon. When not in battle, the Somalis wore the shield on their upper arm or hung it across their shoulders by means of a leather string.
(h 36.5cm x w 36.5cm x d 9cm)
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Free Registration
28.8% inc VAT*
Flat Fee Registration
25.20% inc VAT*
