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Shield, 20th century
Wood, black and white pigment with traces of red, gum, rattan, pandanus leaves

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Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: Jolika Collection of New Guinea Art PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "A somewhat related shield is displayed at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney (Dirk Smidt, personal observation, 2004). It was collected by S.G. Moriarty in 1965 at Wonenara village, Kukukuku (Anga) people (Baruya language), Eastern Highlands Province. "It also has the V-shaped bands running from top to bottom" (Moriarty, 1973: 52). These shields were handled by fight leaders who had a number of arrows inserted in a string bag holder attached to the back of the shield, while a string loop held the upper part of the arrows in place (ibid., 34, fig. H94). As the shields were "large enough to cover the vital parts of the body...fatalities in open pitched battles were consequently rare" (Sinclair, 1977, caption for in situ photo, shown on the title page)." (Catalog #578, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 187.)

Related Keywords
Shield Art Jolika speakers language Awa Tairora Oceania Morobe border Province Highlands Eastern Guinea New Armor Arms leaves pandanus rattan gum red traces pigment white black Wood 0308200711540060 A383358 AOA