Eastern Asmat shield

[Tim Simmons]

This is rather an indulgence at the moment but I think it was a real bargain { you can pm for the price if you are interested}. It has yet to arrive. Not the oldest shield in the world. I am told it is 1970s, which I belive is quite respectable when collecting shields especially from the foothills. I have a shield {forum swap} that appears some decades older which from my book studies seems to be also from the Eastern Asmat. They tend to be smaller both 147cm tall. The new one is quite a bit wider 37cm where as the one I have already is 27cm wide. The new one may not look as old but is in much better condition. I does have more wear that I will show when I have it. The handle is most interesting and I post an illustration from "Shields of Melanesia, University of Hawaii press" Although not early it does look to have been carved, from the back view anyway, with traditional stone adze or bone chisels, indicated by the soft scalloped cuts to the wood. Watching youtube Papuan documentaries some parts of Papua or still very much like the wild west in all ways. Perhap we could have a shield brain storm?

[Tim Simmons]

Some very cool information can be found by exploring a collection of short Australian Museum videos here.

http://australianmuseum.net.au/movie...from-Mendi-PNG

[Sajen]

Hi Tim,

nice shield you have bought! Please post pictures from the handle and from the front carvings when you have received it. Quality signs are deep front carvings and age is shown by rounded edges from the front carvings. Do you have bought it from a netherlands seller?

Regards,

Detlef

[asomotif]

Hello Tim,

Finally an Asmat shield http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=asmat+shield

Nice shield with a motif I have not seen before.
Do you have info what this motif is ?

Surely not an "H" , the motif will probably be the shape surrounding the "H" I pressume.

Best regards,
Willem

[Tim Simmons]

I think if you have no idea what a letter ( H ) is and cannot read anyway. The design is probably read as both the red and the White, the purpose is to dazele the design seems to pulse at a glance. One is caught between the red and then the White. Just registering the White it becomes quite compliex. The basic layout of the design is very similar to the shield shown from " Shields of Melanesia". I got this shield here in the UK.

[Mytribalworld]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

I think if you have no idea what a letter ( H ) is and cannot read anyway. The design is probably read as both the red and the White, the purpose is to dazele the design seems to pulse at a glance. One is caught between the red and then the White. Just registering the White it becomes quite compliex. The basic layout of the design is very similar to the shield shown from " Shields of Melanesia". I got this shield here in the UK.

Hi Tim,

I think your shield is indeed around the 70's and the double H can possibly read as "Heilig Hart" or in english " sacred heart"
The mission was very active around the 70 to encourage the Asmat carvers to pick up their old carving traditions. The Asmat sometimes mixed up Roman Catholic symbols in their carvings.
I wil list a pic of an Asmatpanel in my collection.

Arjan