Somali dagger and shield for comment
 

Hi All

These two auctions just ended. The billao seems different than your typical billao it has a longer narrower blade. The shield has a nice two tone look to it.
Tim this is your area of expertise so let me know what you think?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-AFRICAN-...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...Pr4_PcY_BIN_IT


Lew

Very nice pieces. The Somali shield (gashan) is usually bleached, but sometimes is stained black. Never seen a two-toned one before. It's quite attractive. The billao is actually the short sword version. I believe it's called the same as the dagger, though it's sometimes referred to as a bilewa. Best clean blade I have seen in a long time. Great buys.

Well done on the shield :) . I had my eye on it the first time round when it had a much higher starting bid price. Right place right time, shame the knife has lost its scabbard 9 out of 10 :D . There are ceremonial shields from Somalia that often have a decorative wool apron rather like macrame hanging from them, tassels that's the word I am looking for, and displayed at weddings and other occasions. Your new shield is very attractive indeed and I wonder if it was reserved for display, like high rank shields in Abyssinia up untill the late 1920s. Now I will go away and sulk on the sofa ;) . Tim

Here are some pics of the dagger the shield was mailed separately will post pics of it when it arrives.


Lew

The shield just showed up so I did some rearranging in my trophy room.

Lew

Lew, you are too smart and organised, it disturbs me :eek: . A very nice short sword and the shield is just terrific, you can use ebay to your advantage if you broaden your horizons. I have moved on and no longer sulking. Tim