Rare archers shield "saemowgwaenk" ·  Papua New Guinea - Southern Highlands, Mendi Valley, Wiru · ID: 3043409

Description

hardwood, blackish brown patina, red and white pigment, two pairs of drilled holes, plant fibre strap for suspension, slightly dam.
This type of shield is much rarer than the larger oval shaped shields from the same area. Its also rare to have the stylized human figure on the front, which is wearing a kina shell currency necklace. The shield has a U-shaped notch at the top and was hung from the bowman’s shoulder. It was worn to protect the torso during battle while leaving both hands free for using the bow.

The object Rare archers shield “saemowgwaenk” with the object ID 3043409 was last part of the auction 88th Tribal Art Auction at March 10, 2018 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 28.

You can find more Shields and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on Oceanian art.

Comparing literature

Beran, Harry & Barry Craig (ed.), Shields of Melanesia, Honolulu 2005, p. 135, ill. 5.19