2 fine Mendi shields to view.

Tim Simmons · 27th June 2015, 10:21 AM

Thanks for your input Colin always respected. I am not so sure that every thing is crisp the shields show considerable wear in places. Again it is hard to show without the items in hand.

Sajen · 27th June 2015, 11:42 AM

Hello Tim,

you have to consider the extreme climate circumstances in this area of the world which will let look even a hard wood very soon worn. The wood of your two shields look very unworn so my age guess.
Have attached some pictures of similar shields which show clearly age.

Regards,
Detlef

Tim Simmons · 27th June 2015, 03:37 PM

Well they may not be as artistic and old as those museum pieces but they have been in use for what ever reason at some time and look cool on the wall.

Sajen · 27th June 2015, 03:58 PM

Yes, agree with you Tim!

But the eye-catcher is the very nice shoulder shield on the left!

Regards,
Detlef

asomotif · 27th June 2015, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Yes, agree with you Tim!

But the eye-catcher is the very nice shoulder shield on the left!

Regards,
Detlef

Yes, nice shoulder shield indeed !!!

Tim Simmons · 28th September 2015, 08:14 AM

Look at this one. Click on the image then the + and you will see the same deep cut decoration lines as in my examples. My examples show evidence of having been painted at some time. Nice to have a clan name. Worrumbi.

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20157/lot/37/

Tim Simmons · 29th September 2015, 07:57 AM

Correction "Worrumbi" is not a clan name. It is the name for the largest shields used in the Mendi valley. Here is an extract about contact in the Mendi valley 1954. Taken from the link which is extremely informative but very long. Hence the extract.

INTRODUCTORY VOTE:-
The following; "thesis is based on field-work carried
out in three periods: June to December, 1954; July, 1955
to. October, 1956; and July to -becember, 1958. The first
two visits were assisted by research grants from the University
of Sydney, and the third was financed by the W.M.
Strong Fellowship, which I held for 1957 and 1958.
Field-work-in this area presented certain difficulties.
When I arrived in Mendi in 1954, the government - station (the
first in the Southern Highlands District) had benn open for
only four years, and the whole . District was a "restricted,-
area". The natives were still hostile, and while. I was
there, government patrols were ,attacked twice, whin six'
miles of the station. Travelling without an armed escort
was presumed dangerous for Europeans, and our movements
were severely restricted. I myself was given more latitude
than were most Europeans who were not Native Affairs Officers, , but, until my, hird visit in 1958, I was not allowed more
than 10 miles north of Mendi station, nor could I enter the
neighbouring Lai Valley.

http://library.ucsd.edu/dc/object/bb21855464/_1.pdf

27th June 2015, 10:21 AM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Thanks for your input Colin always respected. I am not so sure that every thing is crisp the shields show considerable wear in places. Again it is hard to show without the items in hand. Attached Images

27th June 2015, 11:42 AM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,214	Hello Tim, you have to consider the extreme climate circumstances in this area of the world which will let look even a hard wood very soon worn. The wood of your two shields look very unworn so my age guess. Have attached some pictures of similar shields which show clearly age. Regards, Detlef Attached Images

27th June 2015, 03:37 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Well they may not be as artistic and old as those museum pieces but they have been in use for what ever reason at some time and look cool on the wall. Attached Images

28th September 2015, 08:14 AM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Look at this one. Click on the image then the + and you will see the same deep cut decoration lines as in my examples. My examples show evidence of having been painted at some time. Nice to have a clan name. Worrumbi. https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20157/lot/37/ Attached Images

27th June 2015, 03:58 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,214	Yes, agree with you Tim! But the eye-catcher is the very nice shoulder shield on the left! Regards, Detlef

29th September 2015, 07:57 AM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Correction "Worrumbi" is not a clan name. It is the name for the largest shields used in the Mendi valley. Here is an extract about contact in the Mendi valley 1954. Taken from the link which is extremely informative but very long. Hence the extract. INTRODUCTORY VOTE:- The following; "thesis is based on field-work carried out in three periods: June to December, 1954; July, 1955 to. October, 1956; and July to -becember, 1958. The first two visits were assisted by research grants from the University of Sydney, and the third was financed by the W.M. Strong Fellowship, which I held for 1957 and 1958. Field-work-in this area presented certain difficulties. When I arrived in Mendi in 1954, the government - station (the first in the Southern Highlands District) had benn open for only four years, and the whole . District was a "restricted,- area". The natives were still hostile, and while. I was there, government patrols were ,attacked twice, whin six' miles of the station. Travelling without an armed escort was presumed dangerous for Europeans, and our movements were severely restricted. I myself was given more latitude than were most Europeans who were not Native Affairs Officers, , but, until my, hird visit in 1958, I was not allowed more than 10 miles north of Mendi station, nor could I enter the neighbouring Lai Valley. http://library.ucsd.edu/dc/object/bb21855464/_1.pdf