An excellent 19th century Zulu war-shield, ihawu. The age and appearance are generally suggestive of an 1879 pick-up; although it is true that the majority of warriors went into battle carrying the larger isihlangu and umbhumbhulozu pattern regimental war shields there are suggestions that smaller shields were sometimes cut to regimental patterns. There is, for example, a shield in the Royal Engineers Museum in Chatham which was 'souvenired' by John Chard VC from King Cetshwayo's royal homestead at Ulundi, and which is in the colour of the uThulwana regiment, although being similar in size to this example. This example is 33 x 21 inches and, being light brown, is in one of the colours associated with the iNgobamakhosi regiment. The iNgobamakhosi foght in most of the battles of the war including iSandlwana and Ulundi. Shield is in good condition with only a small amount of hair-loss and original stick.
