Oceanic, Papua-New Guinea, Eastern Highlands, Central Area. Wahgi River area. War Shield. Wood, pigment, vines, basketry, wi...

Description

Oceanic, Papua-New Guinea, Eastern Highlands, Central Area
Wahgi River area
War Shield
Wood, pigment, vines, basketry, wire, tin
Height: 65 1/8 inches Width: 19 ¾ inches

While the colors and layout of this shield bear a kinship to the shield with the same collection history that we have attributed to the Wahgi people, a punched dot system follows the narrow bands outlining the central patterns. This is a technique seen on some Maring shields, but this example bears no overall design kinship to the few published Maring examples. In relatively recent times, interchange of influences has doubtless accelerated, resulting in what appear to the outsider as hybrid shields.
There is a crack rising from bottom center about nine inches in from the proper left; it has an indigenous repair. There are minor surface nicks and stains.

Provenance:
Martin, Port Moresby, Papua-New Guinea
Clarke and Clarke, Scottsdale
Gary Hendershott, Little Rock



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