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War shield, 19th–early 20th century
Wood, lime
93 cm (36 5/8 in.)

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Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: Jolika Collection of New Guinea Art PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - The complex design on the shield, executed in relief and consisting of snakes, birds, and bird heads, may represent a canoe. The side opposite the design would once have carried a fringe composed of cowrie shells, goa-nutshell rattles and pandanus fiber. (See Schmitz, 1971, pl. 25, and Beran and Craig, 2005: 193.) These shields were used for warfare on land and at sea. H.K. Bartlett collected a number of them in Misima Island and established that they were made there. They were porbably also made in other parts of the southern Massim (Harry Beran, personal communication). Geza Roheim collected one in Duau (Normanby) Island in the 1930s (see Newton, 1975, fig. 34), and they may also have been made there in the 19th century (Harry Beran, personal communication)." (Catalog #400, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 150.)

Related Keywords
shield War Art Jolika Massim Southern Oceania Province Bay Milne Guinea New Armor Arms lime Wood 0308200711540045 A383335 AOA