African (Nubian ?) shield

LJ · 6th August 2018, 04:13 PM

I'm a bit confused with the word "Fundj". Is this the same as "Funj", i.e. the empire of Dar Funj, which ended in 1821 (if Wikipedia is to be believed !)

Does the use of the word suggest that the shields were used in the large area covered by the empire, which seems to have covered most of the northern part of Sudan ?

I've looked at the Pitt Rivers Southern Sudan resource, which doesn't list a people called Fundj. Also, I've looked at the British Museum collection database, where there are shields of this shape made of black hide and catalogued as being from Nubia. The Dar Funj would have extended as far north as Nubia, but surely very few of these shields would be in Western hands before the Mahdist period.

I have seen a shield similar to this one (in a private collection). It also has a crocodile skin boss ... which makes me wonder if that feature gives us a clue as to a more precise place of origin?

Sajen · 6th August 2018, 04:56 PM

Sorry, can't answer your question, just have remembered to have seen this shields before and have looked where I've seen them and have given the two links. Also when when I am interested in African arms I don't collect them and I am far away to be an expert in African arms.
Maybe Martin or Wolf-Dieter will be able to give further informations.

Regards,
Detlef

PS: I am a little bit surprised that Colin don't respond until now to his own thread!

colin henshaw · 6th August 2018, 06:07 PM

PS: I am a little bit surprised that Colin don't respond until now to his own thread! :shrug

"Patience is a virtue", Detlef

Sajen · 6th August 2018, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

"Patience is a virtue", Detlef

Dear Colin,

I was only a little bit in sorrow!

6th August 2018, 04:13 PM	#1
LJ Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 93	I'm a bit confused with the word "Fundj". Is this the same as "Funj", i.e. the empire of Dar Funj, which ended in 1821 (if Wikipedia is to be believed !) Does the use of the word suggest that the shields were used in the large area covered by the empire, which seems to have covered most of the northern part of Sudan ? I've looked at the Pitt Rivers Southern Sudan resource, which doesn't list a people called Fundj. Also, I've looked at the British Museum collection database, where there are shields of this shape made of black hide and catalogued as being from Nubia. The Dar Funj would have extended as far north as Nubia, but surely very few of these shields would be in Western hands before the Mahdist period. I have seen a shield similar to this one (in a private collection). It also has a crocodile skin boss ... which makes me wonder if that feature gives us a clue as to a more precise place of origin?

6th August 2018, 04:56 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,561	Sorry, can't answer your question, just have remembered to have seen this shields before and have looked where I've seen them and have given the two links. Also when when I am interested in African arms I don't collect them and I am far away to be an expert in African arms. Maybe Martin or Wolf-Dieter will be able to give further informations. Regards, Detlef PS: I am a little bit surprised that Colin don't respond until now to his own thread!

6th August 2018, 06:07 PM	#3
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	PS: I am a little bit surprised that Colin don't respond until now to his own thread! :shrug "Patience is a virtue", Detlef