Shield, late 19th / early 20th century ·  Indonesia - Sulawesi, Gulf of Tomini or Kulawi · ID: 3053181

Description

wood, black paint, nassa shell, animal fur, base

According to Barbier, these exceptionally narrow shields were used in war dances that included mock sword combats, as seen in an early photograph from 1919/20 (see Benitez & Barbier, 2000, p. 156, ill. 81).

The triangular inlays are said to have originally been made of bone, while the decorative tufts were crafted from real human hair. The latter were reportedly taken from the victims of the shield’s owner.

Comparing literature

Barbier, Jean Paul & Purissima Benitez-Johannot, Shields, Munich, London, New York 2000, p. 156 f.