Bontoc Tattoo Shield

[Battara]

I just acquired this Bontoc shield. What is different about this is that it has painted tattoos all over the front central section.

Tattoos were given not just to Igorot warriors but also to weapons belonging to warriors of distinction like head axes and even shields. Shields seem rarer either because they were not many made or they did not survive in great numbers.

Enjoy!