Early 20th C. Mandara Painted Hide & Metal Shield

Western/Central Africa, Cameroon or Chad, Mandara/Wandala (sometimes Kirdi), ca. early 20th century CE. A massive shield, made of iron overlaid with water buffalo horn and painted with a dark red cross across its surface. Iron plates protected the top and bottom, of which some remain. The back features a thick, curved wooden handle. The shield is in the characteristic bell shape of all shields from this culture; the iron represents a technological innovation upon earlier ones, which were entirely made of stiffened hide. Size: 25" W x 35.5" H (63.5 cm x 90.2 cm)

Provenance: ex-Leo Hakola collection, La Barge, Wyoming, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#152029 Dimensions: Condition Report: Wear on surface commensurate with age, including great patina and deposits. Some of the iron plates from the lower end are lost, and there is wear to the hide, especially at the center.