Search Results

Image 1 of 1

Shield, 19th–early 20th century
Wood, Fiber, Pigment - red
74 x 50 x 3 cm (29 1/8 x 19 11/16 x 1 3/16 in.)
The Marcia and John Friede Collection, a Promised Gift to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco L05.1.13

Zoom this image

Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: Jolika Collection of New Guinea Art PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "The Wanuma people were short in stature and probably related to the Kukukuku (Anga) people of the upper Watut River in the highlands of Southern Madang and Morobe Provinces. There is a similar shield in the Australian Museum, Sydney (Thorpe, 1030, pl. lvii). The ridge appears to be unusual. Comparable or related shields-characterized by a more or less triangular shape, lack of engraved designs, and a separate handle attached to the top end by means of two holes-have been reported from the Garia (Garria) Bagasin area, approximately 70 km south of the Wanuma area. Borkent (1978, pl. 10, fig. E) illustrates two examples which have lost their handles. The Rijksmuseum in Leiden also has an example (RMV 5173-2) but it is said to be from a different region. Borkent reports that most shields he encountered could be "traced back to more than four generations, transferred from father to son." Some are still greatly valued or "still being kept as a safety measure for any future troubles." Others, however, are "sometimes even used as toilet seats cut out in the middle" (Borkent, 1978)." (Catalog #577, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 187.)

Related Keywords
Shield Francisco San Museums Arts Fine Gift Promised Friede John Marcia Art Jolika Oceania Province Madang Guinea New Armor Arms red core net string handle fiber rattan pigment Wood 0709200406050436 A360928 L05.1.13 AOA