A very rare example of characteristic form, made from oryx hide with complex and intricately incised talismanic lineal motifs retaining some original pigment, these may also emulate tribal tattoos. With characteristic rolled edge and set with five profiled brass disks, several retaining the separately-applied grip to the reverse, the larger underlaid with red and green cotton cloth. The reverse with paper tags, the largest inscribed with the name of the owner, MONSIEUR CAMAT NOTAIRE A LIVRON [SUR] DROME (Monsier Camat, Notary, at Livron, Drome [Southeast France, south of Lyon],) together with two shipping labels, the first marked GARE DU DEPART TOULON, the second illegible. Hand inscribed in the lower left corner of the shield, A. CAMAT 1898. From the Hoggar Mountain region of the Sahara highlands, in Southern Algeria. Dated 1898, likely earlier. Minor wear to the lower extremities. Overall Length 128cm / 50 1/2". Condition III