Sudanese Wood Shield, Based

A tall pale slab on a stand, with a ridge down the front

This shield is from Sudan, East Africa, and dates to the early 20th century. It is wood. Shields often served as identification, because most peoples had distinct designs and shapes that friend and foe could recognize from far away, much as flags do, and some patterns indicated rank. A narrow, upright, plank-like form with a raised central ridge and traces of orange-red pigment on a chalky gray ground. It is mounted on a slim black stand. The surface is weathered and flaking. It is 3 inches wide, 7 deep and 27 high.

Spare, upright and mounted on a tiny stand.