Iron Arm Shield
Kabye, Northern Togo / Burkina Faso
Iron
Early 20th century

This unusual object, which comes primarily from the northern regions of Togo, is a sort of elongated shield with the two ends curved to the outside.The central part contains two thin archlike segments that seem to have been put there so as to enable the object to be worn as an arm shield. 

Some examples still retain some cloth padding around the two middle segments. While entirely functional, it was more of an object of prestige worn during dances and ceremonies. 

The back side shows characteristic brush scrathces, deliberately manufactured. The front shows a complex patina which demonstrates significant age (Ballarini, The Perfrct Form: On the Track of African Tribal Currency, 2009; Blandin, Fer Noir. D'Afrique de L'Ouest, 1992). 

23.5 in :: 60 cm

InventoryID #13-2123

Price on Request