Somali, 19th Century Hide Buckler, Shield

Original era manufacture. Hard as iron, and nicely decorated leather buckler, as used by tribes of the Horn of Africa including Ethiopia and the Sudan. It measures 13.5 inches across with an upturned edge, and a very stout molded leather handle on its reverse.The front of the shield displays a very nice hand decorated design, with the reverse having additional designs done in pale red and blue ink.No damage, very sound, really a well made old shield.