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Shield, 20th century
Wood, pigment, bark carrying strap
110.5 x 30.5 x 8.9 cm (43 1/2 x 12 x 3 1/2 in.)
The Marcia and John Friede Collection, a Promised Gift to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco L05.1.224

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Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: "Gabriel Cacirla Collection, Amsterdam." (Catalog #576, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 187.) PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "This shield is probably metal carved, but it appears to be very old. Like the previous shield, it is made from the buttress root of a giant hardwood tree and has a carrying strap attached to it by means of two holes pierced along the horizontal axis. The design is characterized by a repetition of numerous raised knoblike shapes which cover most of the surface and are divided into four blocks. Such hatched areas, typical for Kalam shields, may be garden plots, as in the previous example. Although not life-size, such a shield would offer adequate protection in warfare-when expecting enemy arrows, the bearer of the shield would squat and almost be completely protected by it. For somewhat different designs on Kalam shields, also popularly known as "Simbai shields," see Lowman, 1973: 31, pl. 19; Coleman and Cunningham, 1975, cat. no. 25; and Smidt, 1975: 46-47, cat. nos. 47-49." (Catalog #576, 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 187 p 2 Volume 2005 Friede John Marcia Jolika Masterpieces Art 576 Catalog Amsterdam Cacirla Gabriel people Karam Kalam village Simbai Oceania Province Madang Guinea New Papua Melanesia Armor Arms strap carrying bark pigment Wood 0709200406050560 A361139 L05.1.224 AOA