Fighting Shield by Unknown artist

Being

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Making

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Fighting Shield

Fighting Shield

Artist

Unknown artist
Production Date

Unknown
Medium

wood, pigment
Size

1050 x 460 mm
Credit

Chartwell Collection, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 1988
Accession Number

C1994/1/288
Accession Date

Jul 1988
Department

International Art
Classification

Object
Collection

Chartwell
Subjects

shields (armor), carvings
Chartwell Notes

Please note: We have been unable to obtain direct approval for this image but we acknowledge the original maker. If the copyright owner is able to contact us, we will immediately respond. Regards, Chartwell.
Description

The Ramu River is in the Madang province of New Guinea, and the tribes of this area are famous for their carvings. This mask possibly symbolizes Ndaro, a supernatural being. It is not an actual fighting shield but a showpiece and trophy intended to look like a used shield. The associated language group of this area are the Banaro people, who reach into the Upper Kerim river also. (Te Moananui a Kiwa, 2005)