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Lot
48341

Mendi Valley (Papua-New Guinea). War Shield (Wörrumbi). Wood, pigment, vine. Height: 54 ½ inches Width: 21 inches. ...

2007 June African & Oceanic Art Signature Auction #645

 
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Auction Ended On: Jun 7, 2007
Item Activity: 3 Internet/mail/phone bidders Number of Bidders
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Description:
Mendi Valley (Papua-New Guinea)
War Shield (Wörrumbi)
Wood, pigment, vine
Height: 54 ½ inches Width: 21 inches

These wooden, long oval war shields were one of two types made by the people living in the Mendi Valley (Chris Boylan in Harry Beran and Barry Craig, eds. Shields of Melanesia. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 2005, pp. 132 ff.). Shields of this type were used by bowmen. "This shield has been used in tribal warfare. The coloured designs are painted in preparation for war, and magic spells are recited during the painting process to imbue the shield with protective power. Red is often used; it is the colour of victory. Red ochres can be used, but the very bright red is distilled from a berry" (Chris Boylan. E-mail communication, April 23, 2007). The age is early contact period, 1940 - 1960. Slightly to the proper left of center there is a vertical crack system in the lower one-third of the shield, along with a few minor abrasions, paint loss, and staining.

Provenance: Chris Boylan, Sydney, Australia

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