ASMAT SHIELDS on the forum
 

I checked for threads on Amat shields, but found none.

Are there any Asmat collectors on the forum ?

best regards,
Willem

Yes, if only I could afford one. :shrug:

I HAVE SEEN QUITE A FEW FOR SALE ON TRIPS BUT THE SHIPPING HAS ALWAYS BEEN TOO EXPENSIVE OR DIFFICULT SO I HAVE NOT AQUIRED ONE. THEY ARE LARGE IN SIZE I WILL PUT IN SOME PICTURES RANGEING IN SIZE FROM 142 CM., 177 CM. AND 148 X 33 CM.
THE SMALL PICTURE IS A SHIELD FROM PAPUA AND I DON'T THINK IT IS FROM THE ASMAT PEOPLE BUT ALL THE OTHERS ARE. I HAVE SOME CARVINGS AND OTHER ART AND WEAPONS BUT NO SHIELDS THEY WOULDN'T LET ME CARRY THEM ON THE AIRPLANE. :rolleyes:

It's mine, very old, look the patina at the handle. I've just tried to sell it but it seems that it feel good by me. :D

This is a very difficult area to explore, just being amateurs. Saying that is not to belittle our knowledge. The people in charge know little more when it comes to PNG. Apparently the externally carved handle integral to the back of the shield is generally excepted as a South Western form of shield making. Perhaps this very practical approach might extend a great distance. According to "Shields Of Melanesia" The Asmat shield may vary according to location as in, various nomadic tribes in the north of the recognised region called "Asmat". One also has to consider how much the influence of the market has had on the idea of what an Asmat shield is. I often believe the market some how creates a certain taste of its own.

NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL SHIELDS THAT HAD NO HANDLE AT ALL. I REMBER SEEING A FILM OF A BATTLE IN NEW GUINEA. THE TWO TRIBES APROACHED EACH OTHER AND PROPED UP THEIR SHIELDS AND HID BEHIND THEM AND JUMPED OUT TO THROW SPEARS OR SHOOT ARROWS AT EACH OTHER. THEY CARRIED A LOT OF ARROWS. WHEN SOMEONE WAS FINALLY KILLED THE TRIBE LOSING THE MAN WITHDREW AND THE WINNING TRIBE GOT TO KEEP ALL THE WEAPONS ON THE FIELD AS WELL AS THE FALLEN WARRIOR FOR A CELEBRATORY DINNER. I DON'T REMEMBER WHICH TRIBES WERE INVOLVED.
THERE IS MORE INFORMATION ON THE TRIBES FROM NEW GUINEA AS THEY HAVE EMERGED FROM THE STONE AGE RELATIVY RECENTLY. SOME ARE STILL VERY MUCH UNCHANGED TODAY AND SOME ARE VERY MODERN ITS A COUNTRY OF MANY CONTRASTS.
THERE IS A WIDE VARIETY OF SHIELDS IN THE AREA AS WELL AS MANY DIFFERENT DESIGNS. THE NEWER AZMAT SHIELDS MADE FOR SALE AS TRIBAL ART USUALLY HAVE LESS CARVED DESIGNS AND MOSTLY PAINTED DESIGNS.
UNFORTUNATELY I AM NO EXPERT AND THESE ARE JUST OBSERVATIONS I HAVE MADE OVER THE YEARS. :rolleyes: