Strange Shield for Discussion

A.alnakkas · 30th January 2024, 05:28 PM

I acquired this shield, was mostly attracted to its shape and construction. But I cannot place it to any location. Any thoughts on it?

Gavin Nugent · 31st January 2024, 08:30 AM

Lofty, here are a couple of links to follow and dig deeper in to. Nothing resolved within as far as I know.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14825

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=22648

Bob A · 31st January 2024, 05:06 PM

Laboratory analysis of material and pigments would possibly provide pointers to location of origin.

Other than that, pure speculation would have to suffice.

RobT · 31st January 2024, 11:49 PM

Hi All,

I don't really know anything about shields but, do many have such an elaborate decoration on the inside? Then too, it appears that the hand holds and hole for the hand were added after the design was made. It seems like a lot of work for nothing to make a complex design and then destroy part of it. What is the diameter of the shield. The designs look Japanese to me. I know this sounds crazy but could this item have started life as a Jingasa?!

Sincerely,
RobT

Tim Simmons · 1st February 2024, 06:16 AM

I think you are right, a hat. Rather nice too. What looks like a handle is the soft head pad and the rings are for securing straps.
https://www.ima-usa.com/products/ori...jingasa-helmet

Gavin Nugent · 2nd February 2024, 01:27 AM

I don't see it as a Japanese hat, I can see parallels, however, look to the detail of the handle and manner of the handle strap.

They are secured externally like the Somali Gaashaan and Ethiopian Amhara and Oromo shields, and share similar external profiles to the Ethiopian types. The knuckle pad and grip and straps within are distinctly different though.

With these examples under discussion, note one is clearly a cylindrical grip, the other a wrist strap, this feature is found in the others previously under discussion. Certainly not a hat to my eyes when looking at the pieces together and how they function.

I feel these are from the horn of African, where exactly, I cannot say, but lean more to Ethiopia as red was also a very popular colour on the inside of their shields and there was a vast array of styling within the shape of this shield type too.

30th January 2024, 05:28 PM	#1
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,338	Strange Shield for Discussion I acquired this shield, was mostly attracted to its shape and construction. But I cannot place it to any location. Any thoughts on it? Attached Images

31st January 2024, 11:49 PM	#4
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 456	Shield From the Start? Hi All, I don't really know anything about shields but, do many have such an elaborate decoration on the inside? Then too, it appears that the hand holds and hole for the hand were added after the design was made. It seems like a lot of work for nothing to make a complex design and then destroy part of it. What is the diameter of the shield. The designs look Japanese to me. I know this sounds crazy but could this item have started life as a Jingasa?! Sincerely, RobT

2nd February 2024, 01:27 AM	#6
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	I don't see it as a Japanese hat, I can see parallels, however, look to the detail of the handle and manner of the handle strap. They are secured externally like the Somali Gaashaan and Ethiopian Amhara and Oromo shields, and share similar external profiles to the Ethiopian types. The knuckle pad and grip and straps within are distinctly different though. With these examples under discussion, note one is clearly a cylindrical grip, the other a wrist strap, this feature is found in the others previously under discussion. Certainly not a hat to my eyes when looking at the pieces together and how they function. I feel these are from the horn of African, where exactly, I cannot say, but lean more to Ethiopia as red was also a very popular colour on the inside of their shields and there was a vast array of styling within the shape of this shield type too. Attached Images

31st January 2024, 08:30 AM	#2
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Lofty, here are a couple of links to follow and dig deeper in to. Nothing resolved within as far as I know. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14825 http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=22648

31st January 2024, 05:06 PM	#3
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 415	Laboratory analysis of material and pigments would possibly provide pointers to location of origin. Other than that, pure speculation would have to suffice.

1st February 2024, 06:16 AM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,741	I think you are right, a hat. Rather nice too. What looks like a handle is the soft head pad and the rings are for securing straps. https://www.ima-usa.com/products/ori...jingasa-helmet