Shield
| Artist/Maker |
This shield was taken by the Royal Naval Brigade serving with British troops at the siege of Maqdala (Magdala) in 1868. It was placed on loan at the South Kensington museum (later renamed the Victoria and Albert Museum) by the Lords of the Admiralty in 1868.
Shields such as this were given as marks of distinction by the Ethiopian emperor to the rases (governors of provinces). The shields would often be covered in velvet, and further decorated with silver or other metals. When the owner was engaged in an important discussion, a boy would hold the shield behind him to emphasise his status.
Shields such as this were given as marks of distinction by the Ethiopian emperor to the rases (governors of provinces). The shields would often be covered in velvet, and further decorated with silver or other metals. When the owner was engaged in an important discussion, a boy would hold the shield behind him to emphasise his status.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Brief description | Circular hide shield with a turned up rim, covered in blue velvet with applied silver-gilt embossed and filigree mounts, Ethiopia (Abyssinia), 18th or 19th century, with a commemorative brass plaque, ca. 1868. |
| Marks and inscriptions | |
| Association | |
| Summary | This shield was taken by the Royal Naval Brigade serving with British troops at the siege of Maqdala (Magdala) in 1868. It was placed on loan at the South Kensington museum (later renamed the Victoria and Albert Museum) by the Lords of the Admiralty in 1868. Shields such as this were given as marks of distinction by the Ethiopian emperor to the rases (governors of provinces). The shields would often be covered in velvet, and further decorated with silver or other metals. When the owner was engaged in an important discussion, a boy would hold the shield behind him to emphasise his status. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.24:1, 2-2005 |
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| Record created | April 23, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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