Ethiopian Shield ?

stephen wood · 16th September 2009, 03:20 PM

Does anyone recognise this kind of shield? About 2' in diameter.

colin henshaw · 16th September 2009, 04:03 PM

Hi Stephen

Its from the Essa tribe (Eritrea I think). Nice shield.

Regards

stephen wood · 17th October 2009, 01:26 PM

...does anyone know of some way I could get the edge circular again. Should I treat it with Pecard?

Martin Lubojacky · 17th October 2009, 08:24 PM

I think the only one way is to souse it. After than to put the shield on system of vessels, conically set together, and weight it from the top (again vessel, but topsyturvy + weight). One must rigorously choose diameters of vessels. It is not easy and always risky. You for instance risk unrolling of the rim. Also, if you are successful - i. e. shape is good after desiccation, it could distort again after some time, based on humidity in the air an based on the state of the skin. When the shield is dry, it could be treated with lanolin (dissolved), but again very carefully, as too much lanolin could dissociate chemical bonds in the leather. This Issa shield is very nice and relatively rare and it would be pity to damage it, if you are not experienced. I would better suggest to discuss it with restore Dept of some Ethnogr. museum near your place. I have realized a.m. procesdure several times, but fruitfulness was cca 70 %. So be very careful and keep in mind, that some negative changes could be irreversible. Better discuss it with museum.
Regards, Martin

stephen wood · 17th October 2009, 09:29 PM

...thanks Martin - it seems like it spent a long time resting in the same position so one point on the edge has become flattened.

Martin Lubojacky · 17th October 2009, 10:54 PM

Yes, this could be the reason
(I heard Issa warriors never sold or gave their own shields to somebody else as possession of shield was point of honour. I am not sure if it is true or not, but allegedly they put the warrior´s shield on his grave, when he died.)

16th September 2009, 03:20 PM	#1
stephen wood Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 227	Ethiopian Shield ? Does anyone recognise this kind of shield? About 2' in diameter. Attached Images

16th September 2009, 04:03 PM	#2
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Hi Stephen Its from the Essa tribe (Eritrea I think). Nice shield. Regards

17th October 2009, 01:26 PM	#3
stephen wood Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 227	...does anyone know of some way I could get the edge circular again. Should I treat it with Pecard?

17th October 2009, 08:24 PM	#4
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 836	I think the only one way is to souse it. After than to put the shield on system of vessels, conically set together, and weight it from the top (again vessel, but topsyturvy + weight). One must rigorously choose diameters of vessels. It is not easy and always risky. You for instance risk unrolling of the rim. Also, if you are successful - i. e. shape is good after desiccation, it could distort again after some time, based on humidity in the air an based on the state of the skin. When the shield is dry, it could be treated with lanolin (dissolved), but again very carefully, as too much lanolin could dissociate chemical bonds in the leather. This Issa shield is very nice and relatively rare and it would be pity to damage it, if you are not experienced. I would better suggest to discuss it with restore Dept of some Ethnogr. museum near your place. I have realized a.m. procesdure several times, but fruitfulness was cca 70 %. So be very careful and keep in mind, that some negative changes could be irreversible. Better discuss it with museum. Regards, Martin

17th October 2009, 09:29 PM	#5
stephen wood Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 227	...thanks Martin - it seems like it spent a long time resting in the same position so one point on the edge has become flattened.

17th October 2009, 10:54 PM	#6
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 836	Yes, this could be the reason (I heard Issa warriors never sold or gave their own shields to somebody else as possession of shield was point of honour. I am not sure if it is true or not, but allegedly they put the warrior´s shield on his grave, when he died.)