Ethiopian Shield-Form Ornamental Disc

Rust-red and rumpled, ringed with holes and a scatter of small studs.

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. Wavy, round plate with a small central boss ringed by a few little raised points. Several holes break the surface at the left and upper right. Reddish patches run through a deeper brown, and tight dotted lines trace the border. It is 0.4 inches deep and 5.4 in diameter.

Slightly rumpled, like something that has been to many places.