Ethiopian Shield #1

[Tim Simmons]

I can see and respect Luc's views. I would like to suggest that perhaps these are just late versions rather than fakes or copies. I would bet shields like these were worn in battle against the Italians in the 1930s and were probably still in isolated local use for tribal fighting untill the mid to late 20th century. One also has to bare in mind stick fighting sport and festivals, shields being part of the spectacle? Hippos hides may well have become a lot harder to aquire even in the early part of the 20th century, so perhaps cow hide was also used. Look at it this way the same skills are used. I must say the metal work is nice, a lot of work and fancy addition just to make a lesser copy?

[katana]

Hi Bill,
I think I have to agree with Tim... rather than a 'copy', it is just of a more recent manufacture.....how recent? difficult to tell from pictures But leather does have a tendancy to look alot 'newer' with some 'leather feed' and a layer of polish.

Regards David