War shield
Papua New Guinea - eastern Highlands
not available anymore
Size
H: 131,5 cm, B: 48,5 cm
H: 51.8 inch, B: 19.1 inch
Description
wood, black patina, strongly encrusted esp. on the backside, rectangular corpus with plane surface, coated with fine engraved chevron- and zigzag patterns in vertical rows, the top edge lined with leaves and reinforced with zigzag binding from rattan and plant fibre cord, two holes located along the vertical centre line served for attachment of a bark sling handle, slightly dam., crack, minor missing parts, water spots;
fighting shields were traditionally used throughout the highlands. Shields were carried over the arm and were used predominantly as protection against spears. The main offensive weapons used in combat were the spear, and the bow and arrows, with stone axes, stone-headed clubs, and bone knives for closer fighting.