dayak shield and axe for comment

weapons 27 · 7th April 2015, 05:56 PM

I just got this shield and this dayak axe that I just bought at auction. .these two objects come from the collection of an Admiral in the French Navy.

can you tell me if this shield is a shield of ceremony or war?

It measures 1 m length 19 x 41cm wide.
the axe has a very thick iron it measured 62cm long
I just waxing these two objects

trenchwarfare · 7th April 2015, 06:32 PM

Don't know anything about them, but that shield is fantastic.

asomotif · 7th April 2015, 10:33 PM

The Axe : looks very good.
An agricultural tool btw. not a weapon. And for that reason quite rare in collections.

The shield....
The general shape looks fine, like an original shield suitable for warfare.

The handle, looks too big/thick, unusual shape. Can you make a close up ?

The skull and tusks look like a Naga feauture. strange because these cultures are not in contact. not a dayak decoration imho.

The colour/patina of the shield looks too brown / too dark / too wax like.

Any information on when this was collected ?

Best regards,
Willem

VANDOO · 7th April 2015, 10:42 PM

BOTH THE AX AND SHIELD ARE MADE IN BORNEO IN THE PROPER WAY. THE SHIELD IS FOR DANCE , CEREMONIES, PRESENTATION OR SALE. THE PIG TUSKS AND MONKEY SKULL MAKE IT A FIERCE LOOKING SHIELD. BUT IT IS EASIER TO DO THAN CARVING AND STAINING AN ELABORATE DESIGN ON THE SHIELD. I LIKE IT AND HAVE NOT SEEN A DAYAK SHIELD LIKE IT WITH TUSKS AND SKULL BEFORE. THE AX HEAD IS PROBABLY THE OLDEST OF THE LOT AND THE SHAFT MAY BE THE ORIGINAL BUT IS LIKELY NOT THE FIRST ONE THE AX HAS HAD.

weapons 27 · 8th April 2015, 06:08 AM

I think that these objects were collected in the years 1920/1950.
the dark color just wax that I applied it
Here is a picture until I pass the wax

asomotif · 8th April 2015, 01:12 PM

Thank you for the pictures.

This looks like an original colour without the wax.
I assume the shield is of a lightweight wood ?

I still have my doubts on when and why a skull was fixed to the shield.
This is sonething I have not seen before.

weapons 27 · 8th April 2015, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asomotif

Thank you for the pictures.

This looks like an original colour without the wax.
I assume the shield is of a lightweight wood ?

I still have my doubts on when and why a skull was fixed to the shield.
This is sonething I have not seen before.

Yes the wood is light

7th April 2015, 05:56 PM	#1
weapons 27 Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 462	dayak shield and axe for comment I just got this shield and this dayak axe that I just bought at auction. .these two objects come from the collection of an Admiral in the French Navy. can you tell me if this shield is a shield of ceremony or war? It measures 1 m length 19 x 41cm wide. the axe has a very thick iron it measured 62cm long I just waxing these two objects Attached Images

8th April 2015, 06:08 AM	#5
weapons 27 Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 462	I think that these objects were collected in the years 1920/1950. the dark color just wax that I applied it Here is a picture until I pass the wax Attached Images

7th April 2015, 06:32 PM	#2
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Don't know anything about them, but that shield is fantastic.

7th April 2015, 10:33 PM	#3
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,224	The Axe : looks very good. An agricultural tool btw. not a weapon. And for that reason quite rare in collections. The shield.... The general shape looks fine, like an original shield suitable for warfare. The handle, looks too big/thick, unusual shape. Can you make a close up ? The skull and tusks look like a Naga feauture. strange because these cultures are not in contact. not a dayak decoration imho. The colour/patina of the shield looks too brown / too dark / too wax like. Any information on when this was collected ? Best regards, Willem

7th April 2015, 10:42 PM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	BOTH THE AX AND SHIELD ARE MADE IN BORNEO IN THE PROPER WAY. THE SHIELD IS FOR DANCE , CEREMONIES, PRESENTATION OR SALE. THE PIG TUSKS AND MONKEY SKULL MAKE IT A FIERCE LOOKING SHIELD. BUT IT IS EASIER TO DO THAN CARVING AND STAINING AN ELABORATE DESIGN ON THE SHIELD. I LIKE IT AND HAVE NOT SEEN A DAYAK SHIELD LIKE IT WITH TUSKS AND SKULL BEFORE. THE AX HEAD IS PROBABLY THE OLDEST OF THE LOT AND THE SHAFT MAY BE THE ORIGINAL BUT IS LIKELY NOT THE FIRST ONE THE AX HAS HAD.

8th April 2015, 01:12 PM	#6
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,224	Thank you for the pictures. This looks like an original colour without the wax. I assume the shield is of a lightweight wood ? I still have my doubts on when and why a skull was fixed to the shield. This is sonething I have not seen before.