Bouclier de combat "yemes", env. 1940
Westneuguinea / Westpapua (Irian Jaya), Asmat
Vendu
4 000 €
Provenance
Old Dutch Colonial Collection, pre 1963Willem Zwiep, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Taille
M: 180 cm x 49 cm
M: 70.9 inch x 19.3 inch
Description
wood (root of a tree or mangrove wood), red ochre, charcoal, lime,
The relationship between shield and owner was very close and the shields were of high symbolic and emotional value. When the owner died, the shield was split into two pieces lengthwise, covering the corpse wrapped in mats and laid out for burial. Alternatively, the shield could also be passed on to the son of the deceased.