Pair of Hide Shields
Afar / Danakil / Esa, Djibouti / Ethiopia / Kenya
Oryx Hide, leather
Early 20th century

The Afar (formerly called Danakil) and Esa used shields of this type, which are very similar to the Gãschãn shields used by the Somali. The sturdily constructed rim and handle allowed the bearer to parry blows and use the shield as an offensive weapon (Barbier, Boyer, Benitez-Johannot, Shields: Africa, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, 2000). 

13.5 in :: 34.5 cm

InventoryID #13-1897

SOLD