Ethiopian Shield-Form Ornamental Disc

Greenish and domed at the center, with a button boss and four neat 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. Round, shallow disc with a raised ring around a central knob, and four circular holes near the edges. A band of fine ridged lines marks one side. The surface shows a mottled olive-green and silvery tone, with softly curled edges. It is 1 inches high and 2 in diameter.

Pierced, polished with age and quietly shield-shaped.