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Shoulder shield, 19th century
Wood, pigment
81.3 x 27.9 x 3.8 cm (32 x 11 x 1 1/2 in.)
The Marcia and John Friede Collection, a Promised Gift to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco L05.1.262

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Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: Jolika Collection of New Guinea Art PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "These shields were carried under the left arm of warriors employing bows and arrows, usually "with the underarm resting in the notched section of the shield. A loop or cord was attached through two holes below the notch [also visible on the present example] to form a handle, which was slung over the shoulder" (Lewis-Harris, 1996: 33). Thus, the shield was designed "to protect the archer's side when he raised his arm to shoot an arrow" (ibid.). See Lewis, 1931, pl. xxiii, fig. 4; see also Welsch, 1998: 468, fig. 7.18 for a photo of a man demonstrating the use of such a shield. the photo was taken at "Waripi" (probably Uaripi village opposite Kerema, at the other side of the inlet of the bay). For other examples, see Haddon, 1984, pl. vi, figs. 85-92; Lewis, 1931, pl. xix-xxii; Newton, 1961: 94, figs. 254-56; Lewis-Harris, 1996, fig. on p. 33; and Benitez-Johannot, 2000: 208-9, cat. no. 86 and fig. 110." (Catalog #432, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 157.)

Related Keywords
shield Shoulder Francisco San Museums Arts Fine Gift Promised Friede John Marcia Art Jolika speakers language subgroup Uaripi people Elema eastern Oceania Province Gulf Guinea New Armor Arms pigment Wood 0709200406050430 A361177 L05.1.262 AOA