Ethiopian Shield with Silver Mounts (Tafa Gassa)

This sturdy circular, domed, shield with its pronounced dome has a wooden base and an interior lined with soft, red leather. The outer side is decorated with velvet and numerous silver pierced and engraved plaques.

The interior is fitted with a large and robust grip.

Such shields tended to be more decorative and functioned mostly as a sign of personal regalia once rifles were introduced to Ethiopia. Nonetheless, they were still sought after, and awarded to members of the nobility.

The use of silver suggests this shield was intended for someone of higher rank. More usually, the plaques are made of copper or brass.

The shield is in excellent condition most particularly given its age. There is some loss, and a small tear, to the leather on the reverse but largely, the leather remains intact (which is unusual).

This is a fine example of such a shield. The use of silver (as opposed to some lesser base metal) marks this example out as relatively rare.