Canoe shield "kaminimbit"
Papua New Guinea - Sepik
not available anymore
Size
H: 63 cm
B: 75 cm
H: 24.8 inch
B: 29.5 inch
Description
trapezoid cane structure, encased with barkcloth, forming three tongue-shaped projections, painted with kaolin, red and black pigment, a small wooden mask in the centre, framed by tufts of cassowary feathers, slightly dam. (forehead and nose of the mask), missing parts (projection in the midde, lower rim), paint rubbed off, socle;
two cane sticks at the bottom for fixing the shield-shaped ornament to the stem of a canoe. They were only used in war times and should protect the passengers of the boat.