Rare Vietnamese shield
 

Hello - I have had a run of luck again picking up this rare Vietnamese shield.

Bit of a story but originally sold as a modern native American Indian shield with two other items that were native American. Well I was outbid at auction but was able to do a very satisfactory deal with the buyer afterwards. Described now as an African shield.

Anyway this is a shield that I understand is from Montagnard highland mountains of Vietnam/Laos.Minority tribes and is likely a ceremonial dance shield. I have seen a few example around for sale and also old photographs where this type of shield is present.

This rare example measures 47cms across.

Thanks

Congratulations on your good find, Ramba. I'm not familiar with this style of shield. There are many different groups associated with the term Montagnard (mountain people). Do you know with which particular group your shield is associated?

Ian

Hi Ian - I have found some of the explanations which I have quoted below.

"Hill-tribes of Jarai, Vietnam."

"Katu peoples, Annamese Mountain area of Vietnam and Laos highlands"

"A katu ceremonial shield" "....the katu live on the bolaven plateau on either side of the South laos border and vietnam .they are know for their grand ceremony with Buffalo sacrifices.on these occasion ,the cult leader carries a round ceremonial shield"

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3274 Previous post.

I have attached an image I found on an auction house website.

Additional picture:
A ‘priest’ of the Katu with a typical ceremonial shield. The shield is the symbol of cult leaders during the grand sacred rituals with buffalo sacrifice.
Photo from: JARAI, Bertrand Goy, Jean-Yves Coué

Another Picture
 

Not sure who took this.

Another Picture
 

Photo from book: JARAI, Bertrand Goy, Jean-Yves Coué

I think this example and above are earlier versions with a metal central disk - they also look like a larger versions that look to be more of a functional shield. The one that the priest is holding and mine would seem some time in the first half of the 20th C. going by the color photograph. The shield it is very light (around 700 grams) and would not offer much protection after a few blows. Hence more of a ceremonial shield I believe.

Some other interesting kit in that photo. I wonder what is going on with that pack and pole thing worn on the far left.