Ethiopian Shield-Form Ornamental Disc

Bold bosses stand out like knuckles around a dome at the center.

This shield-form ornamental brass disc is from Omo Valley, Ethiopia, East Africa, and dates to the 20th century. Peoples of the Omo Valley in southwestern Ethiopia are widely known for body adornment, and metal ornaments often help express age, status and community. Dark bronze-brown plate with a large central dome ringed by several raised, rounded bumps. A few holes pierce the left and right edges. The rim is crimped and slightly ruffled, and the surface shows soft hammering. It is 4.25 inches long and 4.25 deep.

All of its swagger is in the bumps.