A rare 19th-century Zulu war-shield, isihlangu; an exceptional example, possibly the largest we have ever seen. Although Zulu war shields were made to a general pattern, there was some variation in the size of the larger isihlangu type to allow for the individual height of a warrior, and when shields were issued to warriors from the shield-stores on the eve of a campaign, warriors picked an example that suited their particular physique; this example must have belonged to a particularly tall individual, as the dimensions are 55 x 32 ins. The colour is that generally associated with the uKhandempemvu ibutho, which fought at all the principle battles of the 1879 war, including iSandlwana. The shield is generally in very good condition – there are some old pin-holes around the edges, and some loss to the bindings at the back, commensurate with age; and there is no stick. Generally however this is a very sound piece and a spectacular, and possibly unique, item.
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