Introduction

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Shamsy

Thank you all so much for the advice and warm welcome! I've already learned a few things from my brief foray into the archives. I think I will keep my focus open since I was first drawn to African arms as armour because of the variety and the fact I just liked some of the pieces. Good advice!

Kahnjar, I've attempted to add a picture of my shield for you. It's quite different, though I saw one exactly as you described for sale recently in a small antique shop. It was rhino hide, in fantastic condition. At least they don't fake those! I'd like to buy it actually, but they were after about... $1,000 US equivalent which is a lot of money. Not tech savvy, and I can't see my post as I'm on probation, but here goes...

Your shield appears to be Indian. Here's another sold on an auction site but they say ~ Quote"A highly rare and desirable Indian large shield (18th or 19th century), made of hide. These don't come up for sale very often. This example is a bit warped, but retains most of its original domed form. The black hide - perhaps buffalo - retains a nice black surface colour and texture. The original handle straps are still intact. All four grip bosses are still solid and secure (these often fall off with age and abuse). Each of the metal fitting on the surface is intricately decorated (see photos), but it has been covered with some kind of varnish which is obscuring this decoration - this should be carefully cleaned off with a chemical remover, but I have left as found. A real gem - large ones like this (26 inches or thereabouts) are really hard to find in the UK, especially in this condition."Unquote.

[Shamsy]

That's a great find, thank you Ibrahiim! Rather far off what I was told buying it, but who knows with these things where the dating and location started and if that person was well studied or not. It does bear a striking resemblance, though the warping is not as bad, not to mention matching bosses. I'll start calling it my Indian shield! Since I bought it because I liked it I'm not at all bothered to find out it's probably something other than I though. It could have been a trade item I suppose and ended up in Sudan.

Very glad to have an answer, thank you!

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Shamsy

That's a great find, thank you Ibrahiim! Rather far off what I was told buying it, but who knows with these things where the dating and location started and if that person was well studied or not. It does bear a striking resemblance, though the warping is not as bad, not to mention matching bosses. I'll start calling it my Indian shield! Since I bought it because I liked it I'm not at all bothered to find out it's probably something other than I though. It could have been a trade item I suppose and ended up in Sudan.

Very glad to have an answer, thank you!

Thank you ~ Heres the link http://www.fioredeiliberi.org/antiqu...s-uk/for-sale/
See also http://www.victorianmilitarysociety....e-19th-century Quote" Trophies taken at the battle of Tofrek in 1885, included arms from India - a tulwar sword with dual point and serrated cutting edge and an all steel circular shield (dhal)."Unquote.

[Shamsy]

So it is not inconceivable that the seller of the shield could have been correct about it's origins. That's interesting to learn. I enjoyed reading about the huge variety of arms they found, really puts into perspective how individual each warrior was. Very different to the rank and file of other nations. The great variety is what drew me to want to collect African arms and learning that this may even in cue assimilated arms from other cultures is fantastic! Thanks again.