Help ID 19th Century Incised Parrying Shield

[Boswego]

Greetings to the esteemed members of Vikingsword.Here's a piece thats been in the Family since at laest the 1920's.It's 36" long and adzed (marks on back )mcrafted of a fairly heavy and very hard wood.The incised design is filled w/ powdered bone /shell (?).I've seen numerous examples of Ausralian Parrying Shields-but none that totally mimics the front design (also the inset carved handles on the Aussies usually is raised /pops out-this one is totally inset).The old canvas attached tag says-'Fiji Island Shield.Of men 60 yrs. ago.' I can't find anything on the web w/ pics of a Fijian Shield (aside from the Fiji Flag Coat of Arms-the European armorial device).

[VANDOO]

I WOULD VOTE FOR AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL SHIELD. THERE ARE QUITE A LOT OF VARIATIONS AS THERE WERE MANY GROUPS SPREAD OVER A WIDE TERRITORY. IT WILL TAKE SOMEONE WHO IS A EXPERT IN ABORIGINAL ART TO PIN DOWN REGION AND TRIBE FOR YOU. THE WOOD DOES LOOK LIKE A TYPE USED FOR SHIELDS IN AUSTRALIA AND THE DESIGNS LOOK RIGHT BUT THEY ARE MORE COMPLICATED THAN WHAT IS USUALLY SEEN. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE THANKS FOR SHAREING AND GOOD LUCK ON GETTING THE INFORMATION.

[Tim Simmons]

I think this is very nice. It is far more than a shield. It is a weapon, look how heavy it is. A blow from an end would split your skull, imagine an under cut blow, coming up and hitting you under the chin, you would bite your tounge off then spit your teeth out. Ergh! I feel a bit dizzy now.

[drdavid]

Hi Boswego
design is more like indigenous Australian than Fijian to my fairly inexpert eyes.
DrD
ps here are couple of links that display what may be some examples of Fijian shields

http://www.justpacific.com/fiji/fiji...mekenivalu.jpg
shows the classic 'war fans'

http://www.justpacific.com/fiji/fiji...ns/warrior.jpg
shows a woven thing that may be a shield in background

[mmontoro]

My vote is S.E. Australian, too. It looks nice. Shields were uncommon in Fiji.

[VANDOO]

I WOULD SEARCH ON EBAY UNDER ABORIGINAL AND FIND A DEALER WHO IS SELLING GOOD OLD ITEMS WITH GOOD INFORMATION AND SEE IF THEY WOULD HELP YOU GET A ID. IF YOU SEND THEM A PICTURE. YOU CAN ALSO SEARCH FOR ABORIGINAL ART DEALERS ON GOOGLE. OR YOU CAN SEND IT TO ME AND I WILL HANG IT ON THE WALL FOR A YEAR OR TWO AND PONDER IT AND SEE IF IT WILL SPEAK TO ME OF ITS ORIGIN GOOD LUCK

[mmontoro]

When Vandoo is through with his evaluation you can send it to me for a year or two if you would like a second opinion.

[Boswego]

I agree with the Australian Aboriginal comments,ie: the form,wood,motif all look right.The only thing thats a mystery is the complexity of the carving ! The tribal Aussies were fine carvers but generally their style is a lot simpler-maybe this craftsmen just had a lot of time on His hands.

[Tim Simmons]

It is possible that it may be from Islands around and NW of Australia where there could an "Australasian" influence. I only say this because of the rather strong formal patterns and the actual solidness reminds me of some shield forms from the eastern extremes of Indonesian cultures. This is just a thought.

[Ian]

I suppose it could be Fijian, but it just does not look particularly Fijian.

You might also check out the Torres Strait Islands. They are closer to Australia and the early- to mid-20th C. attribution might fit with a period of greater European contact with those islands.

Ian.

[Battara]

I have seen some earlier Australian shields like this.

[Boswego]

Battara-Do You recall where (website maybe) You saw the earlier Australian Shields ? I'll also see if I can find pics of the Torres Island Shields on the Web-thanks to all for the help.This site is an amazing resource !