125cm Zulu War shield in excellent condition with minimal hair loss and attractive pattern. The shield also displays the all important ritual slaughter hole which the Zulu believed gave the shield magical properties. This belief was so strong amongst Zulu warriors that it ultimatly led to a war between Cetshwayo and his younger brother Mbuyazi, whome he defeated and killed at the battle of Ndondakusuka in 1856. The story goes that King Mpande ordered two shields made from the same beast for his sons, Cetshwayo and Mbuyazi. When the shield with the ritual slaughter hole was presented to Mbuyazi, Cetshwayo was enraged and took this as a sign that his father had chose his brother to inherit the Zulu throne. The civil war that followed was far bloodier than the Anglo-Zulu war.
Regimental shields were property of the Zulu State and handed out before battles and operations. The hole marked speciemns were the most coveted by the warriors, as they are today by collectors.
Shields over 1m are rare as they were diffcult for officers to transport home after the 1879 war, and prices increase dramatically once past this point - with some of the larger examples fetching £5k+.
Excellent antique condition with signs of wear and use, with evidence of previous mounting, small holes etc.
Length: 125cm excluding stick.
Will ship to US, please enquire.