Old Watusi Shield
	Code: RACO100-2 Price: $799.00 Quantity in Basket: none
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT This old Watusi shield came out of the estate of US Senator Gilbert Bursley from Michigan. He acquired many items from his travels in Africa in the 1940’s. We know it is at least 60 years old and possibly older. This striking shield is hand painted black, red and white and hand carved from one solid piece of wood. It measures 31” tall and 11.5” wide and has a nice curve to it with a multi colored pyramid shaped point in the middle of the shield that projects out 4”. The back has a substantial oval handle that is just large enough for you to get three fingers into. There is some minor damage to both sides but overall it is in very good shape as it had been on display in the Senator’s collection for almost 60 years.
Large Cane Covered Shield
	Code: RACO100-3 Price: $649.00 Quantity in Basket: none
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT This large shield comes from Uganda in the area Northwest of Lake Victoria and measures 34” tall and 20” across with a pointed, raised, wooden boss in the center that is 4” across and 3” high. Typical of the shields made by the very fierce Baganda and Wagands Tribes. The cane covering binds together individual wood slats that are about 1 ½” wide. The rim was usually covered with goat hide. The cane grip on the reverse side is securely attached to the boss. This shield has been repaired by yours truly and is missing some of the goat hide and cane covering on one side (4” wide from top to bottom as shown on right side of first photo). This shield is very old and probably dates back to the mid to late 1800’s so the wear and tear it exhibits is less than one would expect. A very rare piece that displays amazing tribal craftsmanship.
Large Basketry Shield
	Code: RACO100-4 Price: $799.00 Quantity in Basket: none
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT This large Shield comes from the Mongo Region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and measures 50” tall and 15” wide. Typical of what the Ngandi, Ngbandi and the Ngombe Tribes make and carry. This basketry shield is beautifully adorned with blue, rust and white pigments and has the characteristic Mongo double rattan rods that run down the center, providing additional strength. A rectangular wooden board that features an integral handle is sewn with “natural thread” onto the reverse side. This is an unusually large piece in great shape that is probably from the early 1930 or 1940’s. It is unusual to find a basketry shield of this scale in such good condition. This is the only shield of this type that we have come across in years of collecting and is much rarer than the abundant Maasai shields you typically see.
Giraffe Hide Maasai Shield
	Code: RACO100-6 Price: $599.00 Quantity in Basket: none
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT This old Maasai shield was purchased at an antique store so we know little of its history. We estimate it to be approximately 50 to 60 years old based on the other items we bought with it that all fell into that range. Maasai shields were typically made out of cowhide and laced with rawhide to a wooden skeleton as this one is. What makes this one unique is that instead of cowhide it utilizes Giraffe hide. It measures 21” tall and 16” across. The back is covered with a red ochre stain and this shield exhibits very nice craftsmanship. Does show some hair loss as is to be expected with most shields of this era.
Small Zulu Shield
	Code: RACO100-10 Price: $399.00 Quantity in Basket: none
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT The white and tan color of this beautiful shield indicates the warrior who wielded this piece was married. This piece measures 18” tall and 12” across and probably dates back to the late 1800’s. It is missing the wood center pole that is usually the case with all Zulu Shields, but is otherwise in great shape. Features the characteristic parallel strips on either side that increase the stiffness of the piece and add visual appeal. This is a great looking piece that would be perfect to display on the side of one of our spear racks.
Large Basketry Shield
	Code: RACO100-20 Price: $599.00 Quantity in Basket: none
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT This spear measures approximately 52” tall and is just over 18” wide. It hails from the Mongo Region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is typical of what the Ngbandi and Ngombe tribes make and carry. It is in great shape and exhibits the trademark double rattan rods running down the center for strength. A rectangular wooden board that features an integral handle is sewn with natural fiber “thread” onto the reverse side. It is coated with the soot from hundreds of smoky, green wood fires and has a nice patina. Every one of the hundred or so slats is sewn individually and it must have taken days for a highly skilled artisan to complete. It is unusual to find such a large, relatively delicate piece in this condition.
Large Cane Covered Shield
	Code: RACO100-21 Price: $699.00 Quantity in Basket: none
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT Large Cane Covered Shield-This large shield comes from Uganda in the area Northwest of Lake Victoria. It measures 37.5” tall, 20” across with a pointed, raised boss in the center that is 4.5” across and 3.5” high. This item is typical of the shields made by the fierce Baganda and Wagands Tribes. The cane covering binds together individual wood slats that are just under 2” wide. The rim was usually covered with goat hide. The cane grip on the reverse side is securely attached to the boss. This shield is missing some goat hide and cane covering on the top and bottom. This shield is very old and probably dates back to the mid to late 1800’s so the wear and tear it exhibits is less than one would expect. A very unique piece that took many days, if not weeks to complete.
Old Kirdi Leather Shield
	Code: RACO100-22 Price: $699.00 Quantity in Basket: none
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT We estimate this piece dates back at least 100 years and possibly older. It comes from the Kirdi tribe in Cameroon. It measures 28.5” tall and 14” wide with a time worn handle still firmly attached on the back. The decorative ridges are formed by putting the wet hide on top of sticks in the sand ground and letting it dry around them. This is an ancient piece that is in good condition.
Old Oromo Hide Cone Shield
	Code: RACO100-23 Price: $1,099.00 Quantity in Basket: none
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT This shield comes from Ethiopia and was given to the individual we purchased it from in the 1940’s by a neighbor who traveled Africa in the 1920’s. This piece is very rigid and in exceptional condition. It measures 17” across with a depth of 7”. The extremely thick leather is typically made out of hippo or Cape buffalo hide. This piece is adorned with concentric rings that have been partially worn away over time that radiate from protruding cone. A thickly padded leather grip is firmly anchored to the back with heavy leather laces.
Oromo Hide Cone Shield
	Code: RACO100-24 Price: $799.00 Quantity in Basket: none
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT This shield comes from Ethiopia and has been held in a private collection since it was acquired in the 1960’s. This piece is in exceptional condition and measures 18” across with a depth of 6.5’. The extremely thick leather is typically made out of hippo or cape buffalo. This piece is beautifully adorned with four concentric rings featuring triangular designs that radiate around the protruding cone. A thickly padded leather grip is firmly anchored with heavy leather laces to the back.
Old Hide Shield
	Code: RACO100-25 Price: $0.00 Quantity in Basket: none
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT We have not been able to determine the exact origins of this very old piece but believe it comes from the Dinka tribe in the Sudan. At one time, it was covered in hair but decades of use have worn almost all of it away. We estimate this shield is at least 75 years old and possibly older. This piece is in good condition and measures 25” from tip to tip with the hide portion being 17” tall and 12” across. We think the very thick leather and grip is hippo or Cape buffalo. This is a great piece with character to spare.
Ivory Coast War shield
	Code: RACO100-26 Price: $499.00 Quantity in Basket: none
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT This came out of a large collection in the Southwest that was acquired in the 1960’s. We estimate this piece is at least 50 years old and possibly older. The shield exhibits excellent craftsmanship and was carved from one massive tree, complete with an integral handle. Measures 30” high, 16” across and is 7” tall. The shield is decorated with grooved lines that are filled with white clay. The face is 8” tall and 6” wide and is very nicely executed. This would make a great addition to any trophy room.
Maasai Shield
	Code: RACO100-27 Price: $399.00 Quantity in Basket: none
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT We purchased this shield out of an estate sale and estimate it to be 50-75 years old based on the hand scraped back. Shields newer than that typically have very smooth hide backings done with a machine. As is the tradition, Maasai shields were typically made of cowhide and were laced to the wooden skeleton with rawhide as this one is. This shield is in very nice shape with no hair loss and measures 30” tall and 20” across. Workmanship is excellent and the painted pattern is well executed and uniform. This beautiful piece is a textbook example of a Maasai Shield.
Zulu Shield
	Code: RACO100-28 Price: $399.00 Quantity in Basket: none
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT We purchased this shield out of an estate sale and estimate it to be 50-75 years old based on the dating of several other items we purchased with this one. As is the tradition, Zulu shields were typically made out of cowhide with decorative stitching down the middle that also held an integral grip on the back as this one does. This shield is in very nice shape with no hair loss and measures 27” tall and 19” across. Workmanship is excellent and the stitching is well executed and uniform. This beautiful piece is a textbook example of a Zulu Shield.
Stick Fighting Shield
	Code: RACO100-29 Price: $599.00 Quantity in Basket: none
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT We believe this piece hails from the Benin Republic. These shields are used to deflect the blows of incoming 6” long green saplings that can break bones and in some cases cause fatal injuries. This came out of a Butterfield’s auction in San Fransisco. It measures approximately 8” across, and is reinforced with brass rivets in a floral pattern. It has a slightly concave shape that allows it to form to the hand and wrist. The decorative rivets are connected to iron rings in the back which once held some type of strapping that would firmly secure the shield to the warrior’s hand. As expected, it is rock hard and made out of very thick leather.