Strange Shield for Discussion

RobT · 31st January 2024, 11:49 PM

Hi All,

I don't really know anything about shields but, do many have such an elaborate decoration on the inside? Then too, it appears that the hand holds and hole for the hand were added after the design was made. It seems like a lot of work for nothing to make a complex design and then destroy part of it. What is the diameter of the shield. The designs look Japanese to me. I know this sounds crazy but could this item have started life as a Jingasa?!

Sincerely,
RobT

Tim Simmons · 1st February 2024, 06:16 AM

I think you are right, a hat. Rather nice too. What looks like a handle is the soft head pad and the rings are for securing straps.
https://www.ima-usa.com/products/ori...jingasa-helmet

Gavin Nugent · 2nd February 2024, 01:27 AM

I don't see it as a Japanese hat, I can see parallels, however, look to the detail of the handle and manner of the handle strap.

They are secured externally like the Somali Gaashaan and Ethiopian Amhara and Oromo shields, and share similar external profiles to the Ethiopian types. The knuckle pad and grip and straps within are distinctly different though.

With these examples under discussion, note one is clearly a cylindrical grip, the other a wrist strap, this feature is found in the others previously under discussion. Certainly not a hat to my eyes when looking at the pieces together and how they function.

I feel these are from the horn of African, where exactly, I cannot say, but lean more to Ethiopia as red was also a very popular colour on the inside of their shields and there was a vast array of styling within the shape of this shield type too.

kino · 2nd February 2024, 02:07 AM

I have seen a few Jingasa’s and from what I remember the section that hangs over the ears were either cotton or silk, not leather or leather covered.

Richard G · 2nd February 2024, 02:24 PM

With a little bit of imagination the main element of the decoration could represent a coptic cross.
Best wishes
Richard

drac2k · 2nd February 2024, 04:16 PM

Looking at the top of the shield, there appears to be a hole; if so there was probably a metal boss there at one time. This, as well as the handhold set up inside of the item, makes me think that it was always a shield.
The colors and the artwork made me also think that this item was Ethiopian or that surrounding area.
Once again the material of the "item," would be most helpful in providing other clues.

RobT · 3rd February 2024, 12:42 AM

Hi All,

Three questions remain:
Are there any examples of shields with elaborate designs on the inside?
Why was this complex design so crudely destroyed to make room for the grip and padding?
What is the diameter of the piece?

drac2k,
The piece that went inside the hole could indeed have been a shield boss or it could just as well have been a helmet finial of some sort. I agree with you that knowing whether the item is lacquered or not would be very helpful.

Richard G,
I have seen a good number of Ethiopian crosses in silver. I can't recall any that looked like what is on the item.

kino,
The above mentioned finial could quite possibly be used to affix any padding, ear flaps, and straps. If the item was originally a jingasa, then the leather isn't original to the piece.

Gavin Nugent,
I have a real problem with the way the leather straps work with the design on the face of the shield. They don't. They are just punched through the design haphazardly. You would think that all design and practical elements would be made to work harmoniously together as they do on your examples.

Sincerely,
RobT

31st January 2024, 11:49 PM	#1
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 548	Shield From the Start? Hi All, I don't really know anything about shields but, do many have such an elaborate decoration on the inside? Then too, it appears that the hand holds and hole for the hand were added after the design was made. It seems like a lot of work for nothing to make a complex design and then destroy part of it. What is the diameter of the shield. The designs look Japanese to me. I know this sounds crazy but could this item have started life as a Jingasa?! Sincerely, RobT

2nd February 2024, 01:27 AM	#3
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	I don't see it as a Japanese hat, I can see parallels, however, look to the detail of the handle and manner of the handle strap. They are secured externally like the Somali Gaashaan and Ethiopian Amhara and Oromo shields, and share similar external profiles to the Ethiopian types. The knuckle pad and grip and straps within are distinctly different though. With these examples under discussion, note one is clearly a cylindrical grip, the other a wrist strap, this feature is found in the others previously under discussion. Certainly not a hat to my eyes when looking at the pieces together and how they function. I feel these are from the horn of African, where exactly, I cannot say, but lean more to Ethiopia as red was also a very popular colour on the inside of their shields and there was a vast array of styling within the shape of this shield type too. Attached Images

3rd February 2024, 12:42 AM	#7
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 548	Unaddressed Questions Needing Answers Hi All, Three questions remain: Are there any examples of shields with elaborate designs on the inside? Why was this complex design so crudely destroyed to make room for the grip and padding? What is the diameter of the piece? drac2k, The piece that went inside the hole could indeed have been a shield boss or it could just as well have been a helmet finial of some sort. I agree with you that knowing whether the item is lacquered or not would be very helpful. Richard G, I have seen a good number of Ethiopian crosses in silver. I can't recall any that looked like what is on the item. kino, The above mentioned finial could quite possibly be used to affix any padding, ear flaps, and straps. If the item was originally a jingasa, then the leather isn't original to the piece. Gavin Nugent, I have a real problem with the way the leather straps work with the design on the face of the shield. They don't. They are just punched through the design haphazardly. You would think that all design and practical elements would be made to work harmoniously together as they do on your examples. Sincerely, RobT

1st February 2024, 06:16 AM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	I think you are right, a hat. Rather nice too. What looks like a handle is the soft head pad and the rings are for securing straps. https://www.ima-usa.com/products/ori...jingasa-helmet

2nd February 2024, 02:07 AM	#4
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,018	I have seen a few Jingasa’s and from what I remember the section that hangs over the ears were either cotton or silk, not leather or leather covered.

2nd February 2024, 02:24 PM	#5
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 411	With a little bit of imagination the main element of the decoration could represent a coptic cross. Best wishes Richard

2nd February 2024, 04:16 PM	#6
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,258	Looking at the top of the shield, there appears to be a hole; if so there was probably a metal boss there at one time. This, as well as the handhold set up inside of the item, makes me think that it was always a shield. The colors and the artwork made me also think that this item was Ethiopian or that surrounding area. Once again the material of the "item," would be most helpful in providing other clues.