AN ABYSSINIAN SILVER-MOUNTED SHIELD (TAJA), LATE 19TH CENTURY

AN ABYSSINIAN SILVER-MOUNTED SHIELD (TAJA), LATE 19TH CENTURY the inner face of hide and fitted with a robust enarme, the outer face retaining its black velvet covering applied with numerous embossed shaped silver plaques enclosing a central rondel drawn-out to a foliate button, decorated throughout with strapwork, fitted with a pair of domed bosses on each side to cover the enarme fixtures, and in untouched condition throughout 16.0 cm; 40.6 cm diameter A related example is preserved in the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford (inv. no. 1945.9.20)