Important Monumental Antique Oceanic Papuan Asmat Carved Wood War Shield

Description

A monumental, rare and important Oceanic Papuan Asmat People tribal carved war shield from the first half of the 20th … more A monumental, rare and important Oceanic Papuan Asmat People tribal carved war shield from the first half of the 20th century.

This authentic warrior's shield was collected from the coast of the headhunting tribe in Papua New Guinea, a Provincial Indonesian island in the mid 20th century. (At great risk to the collector as this tribe has been known to kill anyone who attempts to visit the island)

Among the Asmat, war shields are the most powerful symbolic element of a warrior's equipment, and have many layers of meaning. Traditionally, they were functional items used to protect warriors in battle by deflecting an enemy's spears and arrows. The carved and painted images on the surface of the shields were also intended to frighten the enemy and symbolize the power of the ancestors.

Ancestral imagery appears on multiple forms of Asmat art, including wood war shields. Shields were created as functional items for warfare, and were meant to protect the user from the spears and arrows of his enemy. At the same time, the imagery that is carved and painted on the surface of the shield endows the piece with the power of the ancestors, which is also intended to protect the user. The designs can be either figural or abstract, depending on the region from which the shield came.

This impressive sculptural wooden shield features various abstract geometric carvings, often used to represent the warriors (shield owner) ancestor's name, as well as symbolic references to them, which the clansmen believe give the ancestor, and in effect the warrior, strength, speed, agility, knowledge and other ancestral and spiritual powers during the frequent times of warfare or headhunting raids. The backside has a substantial sized handle, allowing the warrior to use two hands to better hold and control the shield. The Asmat's war shields are hand carved and polychrome painted using only primitive tools and color pigments found around their village. The red pigment obtained from ochre, white pigment from crushed limestone, which is used to lighten the wood and black from black soot or a burnt piece of wood.

DIMENSIONS: (approx):
68.5" High, 23.75" Wide, 4" Deep

Provenance / Acquisition:
Acquired from the highly reputable auction house Austin Auction Gallery, est.1983, Austin, Texas

Brief Asmant history:
From Dirk Smidt, Asmat Art, New York: Braziller, 1993. Smidt says: 'In a culture where death was never accidental and all required avenging in a continuous cycle of warfare, shields served a practical purpose of protection but also the symbols carved on the shields radiated power, invigorating the shields owner and striking fear into the enemy. The shields are named after dead relatives. The magical powers of the shield gave the carrier exceptional power combining his strength with that of the deceased ancestor to which the shield shared the name. The shields were used not just in battle but to scare off evil spirits that may have brought misfortune to the village. These shields were made for a shield feast which initiated a headhunting expedition.

Because of their symbolic and emotional value shields were precious and in the North Western Asmat region passed down from father to son. The designs on the shields are highly stylized and now sought-after as one-of-a-kind tribal folk art work.

Located in southwestern New Guinea, the Asmat live along the coast where a vast system of rivers flow into the Arafura Sea. With an estimated population of 70,000, the Asmat are divided into several hundred villages ranging in size from 35 to 2,000 inhabitants.

Headhunting raids were an important element of Asmat culture until missionaries suppressed the practice, which, according to some accounts, persisted into the 1990s. The death of an adult, even by disease, was believed to be caused by an enemy, and relatives sought to take a head in an endless cycle of revenge and propitiation of ancestors. Heads were thought necessary for the rituals in which boys were initiated into manhood. Cannibalism was a subsidiary feature of the rituals that followed the taking of heads

Wood carving is a flourishing tradition among the Asmat, and wood carvers are held in high esteem. The culture hero Fumeripits is considered to be the very first wood carver, and all subsequent wood carvers (known as wowipits) have an obligation to continue his work. The Asmat also believe that there is a close relationship between humans and trees, and recognize wood as the source of life.

CONDITION:
The war shield is in great condition, with nicely aged faded polychrome and warm patina over the whole. Strong, sturdy, stable, structurally sound tructurally sound. Wear consistent with age/use adds to the character and charm!

Interesting, decorative and a bit unusual, makes for wonderful sculptural object and conversation piece! A quick way to add sophisticated antique character, decorative color, texture and rustic warmth, historical depth, and rich cultural interest to any space.

Easy to display, stand as a large sculpture leaning against a wall or in a corner, or a later metal loop is securely attached to the handle for wall hanging. less