Naga Shield

[Royston]

I have been looking for one of these for years and have just got this.

Naga weapons have never been that common in the UK, but it was always possible to find the occasional spear and dao. This, however is the first shield I have come across in 35 years of collecting.

Leather, probably goat skin. Dyed goat hair at the top.
Rattan / split cane handle on the back with a nice age patina.

Crude painted decorations on the front.

Very similar to the one on page 251 of Julian Jacob's book " The Nagas "
although mine is missing the tassels. He attributes these to the Konyak, Ao or Phom.

Dimensions are 15 1/2 by 35 inches.

All comments welcome and I would like to see other examples please.

[Sajen]

Hello Roy,

very nice authentic shield. Congrats for finding after such long time what you want. I don't have any Naga weapons so can't show an example but I am sure that others will have one or more which they will share.

Regards,
Detlef

[VANDOO]

NAGA SHIELDS NEXT TO LAST PICTURE 1930;S
LAST PIC. SHIELD IS 91 CM. TALL.

[Roland_M]

Hello,

Picture 50 says: Chingmak, the chieftain of Chingmei, with the tattoo of a headhunter.

The guy in the middle of picture 49 is the son of the chieftain.

Very proud people, nice to see.

Thanks for sharing.

Best wishes Roland