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Shield, Worrumbi, 20th century
Wood, pigment, fiber sling
114.3 x 38.1 x 10.2 cm (45 x 15 x 4 in.)
The Marcia and John Friede Collection, a Promised Gift to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco L05.1.239

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Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: Jolika Collection of New Guinea Art PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "The shield has a sling threaded through two holes in the middle. The small holes at the top serve for attaching feathers. The shield is slung over the shoulder, protecting the side of the man carrying it while his hands are free for using his weapons (cf. Simpson, 1954, pl. opp. p. 206). In addition to its polychrome decoration, the shield has a pattern of perforations reminiscent of certain Australian Aboriginal artworks. The remote Highlands probably have the purest descendants of the first migration people to enter New Guinea from Australia. Most published Mendi shields are characterized by a pair of triangular forms in the upper section. Sometimes a circle or a pair of circles is placed in the middle, and a pair of curved forms or semicircles in the lower section. The broad angular shapes of the design on this shield are unusual. For other worrumbi shields, see Abramson, 1969: 62; Moriarty, 1973: 30, cat. H24 and H26; and Smidt, 1975: 41." (Catalog #596, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 192.)

Related Keywords
Worrumbi Shield Francisco San Museums Arts Fine Gift Promised Friede John Marcia Art Jolika people Mendi Oceania Province Highlands Southern Guinea New Armor Arms sling fiber pigment Wood 0709200406050438 A361154 L05.1.239 AOA