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Emanuel · 4th January 2007, 12:35 AM

Very interesting information!

So this is a sort of armadillo, no? I wonder how many animals were required to produce the scale shirt. Would one single large specimen be sufficient? What would make this material more expensive to use then cowry shells? The rarity of the animal, the difficulty in processing/sewings its scales together, or simply its mythical/religious association?
You mention cow hide...in this case, would the pangolin hide be used whole, or would the scales be removed and sown to cow hide or other materials?

nKante, I can see how you fell in love. That scale suit is magnificent!! There's something about the way each scale catches the light, and how each slides over the others...very graceful/delicate in a way. Recalls the image of the mythril maille/scale in Tolkien lore.

Emanuel

katana · 4th January 2007, 06:02 PM

Hi Emanuel,
I am not certain as to why the scales were so expensive....but I would speculate that an animal which was revered and had few natural preditors would thrive. One of the advantages of having Pangolin living nearby was they kept the ant/termite population down. I would imagine that there were sufficent numbers but due to the belief system ....few would be killed for their scales. It appears that only certain individuals had the authority to kill the animals.......perhaps this is the reason the scales were so valuable because of their scacity.
The pandolin is now an endangered species.......the scales are used in Chinese medicine. In Africa, today......many have been killed for 'bushmeat'...perhaps after colonialism and the import of Religion , the animalistic belief system, perhaps 'broke down'.....and animals once revered are now considered 'fair game'.
I cannot find any references to the construction of African scale armour.....but as 'padded' armour seems common to the Region....it would seem likely that the scales were fixed to a padded garment. Other than the head gear mentioned in a previous thread, I can find no other reference to the hide (with scales) being used on its own. I can only assume that the scales were used individually.....perhaps the scales could easily (relatively) be seperated from the hide (not good for armour) and/or the scales are 'sized' and placed where necessary......smaller ones in areas of greatest movement(arms, shoulders) and larger ones for the chest and back.

Seeing that the pangolin is seen as a mediator between humanity and the animal world. I am wondering whether the armour was believed to endow the wearer with 'animalistic characteristics' whilst in battle.

The Indian scale armour, I posted, is covered in gold leaf....hence its enhanced beauty. The scales are made of keratin (as is hair, nails and Rhino horn) and I would imagine could easily be dyed with red ochre (as it easily stains hair).

nKante · 4th January 2007, 11:42 PM

I am sure that the scale suits were reserved for royals and special people. The only other example I found besides the chiefs were members of the Leopard Hunter guild, and they only mention them wearing helmets made of scales. From the pictures I've seen, they are big enough to get a helmet, maybe two, from one animal. I'm guessing it took at least 10 pangolins to construct the suit represented on the plaque. My scales are about 3.5x5.5 inches. I estimate needing about 325 for my suit (I'm no light weight). My hide is raw, hair attached. I used an iron to cuir bouilli. Each scale started out at 4x6 inches. I've only cooked about 100 so far but it is much faster than my first project. Last winter I use domestic rawhide to replicate a leopard breast plate. After cutting the shapes needed I cooked the piece in a brick oven I rigged in the yard (the nieghbors keep asking what smelled so good). It came out rock hard, yet not brittle. Maybe due to fact that the hide was one day off the cow, flesh and fat still clinging. I then added grommets to simulate leopard spots. It has taken a beating for the last year with no failures or injuries. If I get a chance I'll post pics of both projects.

katana · 5th January 2007, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nKante

. .... I then added grommets to simulate leopard spots. It has taken a beating for the last year with no failures or injuries. If I get a chance I'll post pics of both projects.

Hi nKante,
I would be very interested in the pics

Regards David

4th January 2007, 12:35 AM	#1
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Very interesting information! So this is a sort of armadillo, no? I wonder how many animals were required to produce the scale shirt. Would one single large specimen be sufficient? What would make this material more expensive to use then cowry shells? The rarity of the animal, the difficulty in processing/sewings its scales together, or simply its mythical/religious association? You mention cow hide...in this case, would the pangolin hide be used whole, or would the scales be removed and sown to cow hide or other materials? nKante, I can see how you fell in love. That scale suit is magnificent!! There's something about the way each scale catches the light, and how each slides over the others...very graceful/delicate in a way. Recalls the image of the mythril maille/scale in Tolkien lore. Emanuel

4th January 2007, 06:02 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Emanuel, I am not certain as to why the scales were so expensive....but I would speculate that an animal which was revered and had few natural preditors would thrive. One of the advantages of having Pangolin living nearby was they kept the ant/termite population down. I would imagine that there were sufficent numbers but due to the belief system ....few would be killed for their scales. It appears that only certain individuals had the authority to kill the animals.......perhaps this is the reason the scales were so valuable because of their scacity. The pandolin is now an endangered species.......the scales are used in Chinese medicine. In Africa, today......many have been killed for 'bushmeat'...perhaps after colonialism and the import of Religion , the animalistic belief system, perhaps 'broke down'.....and animals once revered are now considered 'fair game'. I cannot find any references to the construction of African scale armour.....but as 'padded' armour seems common to the Region....it would seem likely that the scales were fixed to a padded garment. Other than the head gear mentioned in a previous thread, I can find no other reference to the hide (with scales) being used on its own. I can only assume that the scales were used individually.....perhaps the scales could easily (relatively) be seperated from the hide (not good for armour) and/or the scales are 'sized' and placed where necessary......smaller ones in areas of greatest movement(arms, shoulders) and larger ones for the chest and back. Seeing that the pangolin is seen as a mediator between humanity and the animal world. I am wondering whether the armour was believed to endow the wearer with 'animalistic characteristics' whilst in battle. The Indian scale armour, I posted, is covered in gold leaf....hence its enhanced beauty. The scales are made of keratin (as is hair, nails and Rhino horn) and I would imagine could easily be dyed with red ochre (as it easily stains hair).

4th January 2007, 11:42 PM	#3
nKante Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Philly Posts: 72	I am sure that the scale suits were reserved for royals and special people. The only other example I found besides the chiefs were members of the Leopard Hunter guild, and they only mention them wearing helmets made of scales. From the pictures I've seen, they are big enough to get a helmet, maybe two, from one animal. I'm guessing it took at least 10 pangolins to construct the suit represented on the plaque. My scales are about 3.5x5.5 inches. I estimate needing about 325 for my suit (I'm no light weight). My hide is raw, hair attached. I used an iron to cuir bouilli. Each scale started out at 4x6 inches. I've only cooked about 100 so far but it is much faster than my first project. Last winter I use domestic rawhide to replicate a leopard breast plate. After cutting the shapes needed I cooked the piece in a brick oven I rigged in the yard (the nieghbors keep asking what smelled so good). It came out rock hard, yet not brittle. Maybe due to fact that the hide was one day off the cow, flesh and fat still clinging. I then added grommets to simulate leopard spots. It has taken a beating for the last year with no failures or injuries. If I get a chance I'll post pics of both projects.