Photographs © Tim Hamill
ETHIOPIAN
Shield 6
29"h. x 29" w,
$1000
In traditional Africa, shields were used not only as defensive weapons, but also as decorative or ritual objects filled with symbolic meaning. They can be carved from wood, woven, made from a variety of hides and even metal. Most Ethiopian shields are made from a very thick, tough leather, said to be hippopotamus hide. They are stretched over (often elaborate) wood forms, dried and removed.
This shield, with several obviuos areas of damage, has fine and intricate embossing on the front surface.
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