Gãschãn Shield — The Mansfield Collection

Gãschãn Shield

Gãschãn Shield
Dervish Somali
Dervish Kingdom - Darawiish - British Somaliland - Italian Somaliland (Somaliland - Puntland - Somalia)
First quarter of the 20th century (ca. 1900 - 1930)
Hide, pigment
Diameter: 31,8cm
Height: 31,8cm
Thickness: 8,9cm
Collection Date: 2025
Collection Number: 508

Ex. Handbury Tribal Art: Shrewsbury, United Kingdom (2025)

A fine shield of high status used by the Somali clans of Somaliland into Somalia. The shield is crafted from dried and hardened hide from oryx, hippopotamus, or giraffe skin that has been bleached white. Circular in form with a thickened rim. The shield is entirely decorated in concentric incised motif patterns and short lines, the center having a domed boss. On the reverse, the hide handle is also incised with linear patterns. The inside beneath the grip having a series of intricate designs painted in black and red pigment.

The shield, having been bleached white and stretched perfectly round, was a symbol of the status of the owner within society. These types were utilized as war shields when needed but also used as parade and marriage shields. They formed a part of the dowry given by the bride's father to his son-in-law. A fine shield in excellent condition.

Photograph 12: A postcard of a Somali warrior, 1908. Published Catholic Mission of Somaliland 25.
Photograph 13: A postcard of a Somali warior in Dire Dawa, early 20th century.

[1] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1928-0509-82

[2] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1971-13-2

[3] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af-4367

[4] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1911-26?selectedImageId=1252745001

[5] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1904-242

[6] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1978-22-677

[7] https://www.penn.museum/collections/object/346477

[8] https://www.penn.museum/collections/object/115428

[9] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=1033

[10] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=5284

[11] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=1060

[12] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=2613