Woven Basketry Shield with Iron Disc
Ngbandi, D.R. Congo / Central African Republic
Wood, rattan, iron, feline, monitor
Late 19th / early 20th century

The iron discoid attachment on this shield protects the center of the shield and handle. It originated among the Ngbandi, who called it Ngbengbe; it was reserved for chiefs and the highest ranking warriors. This shield has much of its interior covered with the skin of a wild cat, and monitor skin added to the top and bottom trim, both symbolic decorations (Baur & Elsen, Guba: Wicker Shields from the Congo Basin, 2002).

48.5 in :: 123 cm

InventoryID #13-2609

SOLD