Ethiopian Shield-Form Ornamental Disc

Compact and neat, with a short peg and a few very round holes.

This shield-form ornamental brass disc is from Omo Valley, Ethiopia, East Africa, and dates to the 20th century. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, valued for its warm golden color and for the ease with which it can be cast, hammered and polished. Smaller round plate with a squat central peg and a dotted border. Two holes sit near the top, and two larger, slightly offset holes near the bottom. The surface is a dull coppery brown with fine scratches. It is 0.7 inches deep and 3.8 in diameter.

Small, tidy and full of purpose.