Shield "kliau" · Indonesia - Borneo, Dayak · ID: 3035605
Description
soft and light “jelutong” wood, shield and grip carved from a single piece, on both sides painted in black and red with stylized dragon motifs, strengthened with rattan strips to prevent splitting when struck by a sword, front with tufts of human hair taken from the warriors victims, slightly dam. (rims, tips), cracks, traces of hits;
wood shields were used for protection in warfare, on headhunting raids, or ceremonial display. The spiritually charged “monster” figure painted on the front is meant to frighten the enemy.
The object Shield “kliau” with the object ID 3035605 was part of the auction 74th tribal art auction on September 7, 2013. The object with the lot number 1 achieved a sales price of EUR 2,600 with an asking price of EUR 2,000.
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Comparing literature
van Zonneveld, Albert G., Traditional weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago, Leiden 2001, p. 73