Shield

ClassificationsArms and Armor-shields

Cultureprobably Amhara

Datemid 20th Century

Made AtEthiopia, Africa

MediumHippopotamus hide

Dimensions32 x 29 1/8 x 6 3/4 in. (81.3 x 74 x 17.1 cm)

Credit LineAnonymous Gift

Object number2003.43.5

DescriptionThis is a shield made by the Amhara peoples from south central Ethiopia sometime in the mid 20th Century. Shields were typically made from hippopotamus, buffalo, or rhinoceros hides. To make an Amahara shield, the creator would stretch animal hide over a wooden mound, fasten it with pegs, scrape, pound, and oil the hide, decorate the shield with line etchings, and finally add embellishments of silver, gold, or bronze. Although shields were used for warfare, they also acted as prestigious symbols of honor for warriors. Shields with valued goods (such as silver, semi-precious stones, and lion’s mane) were occasionally rewarded to warriors by the provincial governors for bravery in battle.

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