Shield opinions please?

Tim Simmons · 20th April 2012, 09:43 PM

Putting on my armchair slouch hat and safari jacket. My invissible porters and I came across this shield which we aquired from a Dutch native vendor. It was being sold as an example from a large continent. I bought it thinking it was from somewhere else. I was hoping before it arrives and I show daylight pictures. It would be fun to gather views of the origin on the anthropomorphic imagery only. it is not large 59cm high so there is a good chance that it is a dance shield though not certain.

Sajen · 20th April 2012, 09:57 PM

It is a New Guinea shield but don't know exactly from where, would guess Sepik.

Regards,

Detlef

Battara · 20th April 2012, 10:33 PM

I was thinking the same thing.

Tim Simmons · 21st April 2012, 09:29 AM

Thank you very much. That is what I think and why I bought it, perhaps even Papuan Gulf. The anthropomorphic imagery seems to fit that region? It was being sold as African, Nigeria. Ibibio.

I am more than happy to be wrong. If so please come forward and say so and show more information. We only learn really by being wrong.

Tim Simmons · 6th May 2012, 12:07 PM

Now I have had more time with this item it is clearly from the Gulf of Papua but I am not able to asign it to any particular group of people. It is a spirit board or spirit dance shield and board, as the handle would not function if used in battle being to close to the board to grip hard. It is quite hard and heavy it may have been suspended on a cord. The two holes could easily take suspention cord as much as the decorative tufts seen in other board examples. I must say I am really pleased with it

This link has some nice stuff.

http://www.tomkinscollection.org/static/Oceania.html

Indianajones · 20th May 2012, 06:02 PM

Hello Tim,
saw this shield on the famous site ebay and remembered your post here. Although I knew already it was not from the Papoua Gulf I did not have anything to mention were it WAS/IS from, but now I do; a similar shield;
>removed (myself)the link as it is still active on ebay<

Have uploaded the pics; saying its from Cameroun, Kambila tribe, rare shield. Am not an African expert, so dont know if that is correct, but know its not from New Guinea.

Best, Wouter

Tim Simmons · 20th May 2012, 07:23 PM

Thanks for that. From the same seller as mine. Thats three sold in nearly as many weeks so much for being rare. I have always said to myself do not buy anything proclaimed as rare. Unless like me you are stupid trying to be clever. Mind you i did not pay much for it and it decorates the wall quite pleasingly.

Indianajones · 21st May 2012, 09:47 AM

Never said I bought it!

just helping out identifying.

20th April 2012, 09:43 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Shield opinions please? Putting on my armchair slouch hat and safari jacket. My invissible porters and I came across this shield which we aquired from a Dutch native vendor. It was being sold as an example from a large continent. I bought it thinking it was from somewhere else. I was hoping before it arrives and I show daylight pictures. It would be fun to gather views of the origin on the anthropomorphic imagery only. it is not large 59cm high so there is a good chance that it is a dance shield though not certain. Attached Images

21st April 2012, 09:29 AM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Thank you very much. That is what I think and why I bought it, perhaps even Papuan Gulf. The anthropomorphic imagery seems to fit that region? It was being sold as African, Nigeria. Ibibio. I am more than happy to be wrong. If so please come forward and say so and show more information. We only learn really by being wrong. Last edited by Tim Simmons; 21st April 2012 at 10:05 AM.

6th May 2012, 12:07 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Now I have had more time with this item it is clearly from the Gulf of Papua but I am not able to asign it to any particular group of people. It is a spirit board or spirit dance shield and board, as the handle would not function if used in battle being to close to the board to grip hard. It is quite hard and heavy it may have been suspended on a cord. The two holes could easily take suspention cord as much as the decorative tufts seen in other board examples. I must say I am really pleased with it This link has some nice stuff. http://www.tomkinscollection.org/static/Oceania.html Attached Images

20th May 2012, 06:02 PM	#6
Indianajones Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 180	Hello Tim, saw this shield on the famous site ebay and remembered your post here. Although I knew already it was not from the Papoua Gulf I did not have anything to mention were it WAS/IS from, but now I do; a similar shield; >removed (myself)the link as it is still active on ebay< Have uploaded the pics; saying its from Cameroun, Kambila tribe, rare shield. Am not an African expert, so dont know if that is correct, but know its not from New Guinea. Best, Wouter Attached Images Last edited by Indianajones; 21st May 2012 at 09:46 AM.

20th April 2012, 09:57 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,791	It is a New Guinea shield but don't know exactly from where, would guess Sepik. Regards, Detlef

20th April 2012, 10:33 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	I was thinking the same thing.

20th May 2012, 07:23 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Thanks for that. From the same seller as mine. Thats three sold in nearly as many weeks so much for being rare. I have always said to myself do not buy anything proclaimed as rare. Unless like me you are stupid trying to be clever. Mind you i did not pay much for it and it decorates the wall quite pleasingly.

21st May 2012, 09:47 AM	#8
Indianajones Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 180	Never said I bought it! just helping out identifying.