solomon islands shield ???
 

I think that it is a shield of the isles Solomon..
It measures 70cm long x 20cm wide
one of the handle is higher than the other, I think it is to move the arm.
It is rottin braid however it is covered with a layer of mud...
I do not know the reason someone could ' it help me!

can you give me its origin and age

thank

Hi

It must be a shield from the Solomon Islands, though I have never seen one quite like it. The dark covering is probably "parinarium nut paste" (putty nut). Usually that is applied as a base for shell inlay. These shields are usually made of wicker or occasionally, wood. Must be 19th century, I would think.

An interesting piece and worthy of further research.

Regards.

THANK COLIN

not other comments?
Anyone know this style of shield or documentation has this subject?

Antoine,

Here is an extract from the British Museum booklet "The Solomon Islanders" 1974. Maybe the paste covering was to provide extra strength against spear and club strikes. So your shield could be an older example made to be used in tribal warfare ??

Coincidentally, I had acquired a little while ago, this more recent shield made of wood. Its a post-colonial 20th century piece, most likely used for display or parade... The black painted design to the front might represent stylised frigate birds ?

Regards.

Thanks for the document, I also thought that the shield covered with this paste had to absorb the projections of Spears

picture found at the Museum of noumea in New Caledonia,the same style of shield than mine.



Origine : MALAITA
Village : Ethnie Kwara’ae
Matériaux : Bouclier en fibre tressée et noix de parinarium



http://www.oceania-gallery.com