Shield

ClassificationsArms and Armor-shields

Culture Iatmul

Dateearly 20th Century

Made AtEast Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

Collection SiteEast Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

MediumWood, plant fiber, and pigment

Dimensions90 1/8 × 12 3/4 × 6 1/4 in. (228.9 × 32.4 × 15.9 cm)

Credit LineAnonymous Gift

Object number2017.10.147

DescriptionThe Iatmul are the largest cultural group living along the shores of the Sepik River. As a large group, their shields vary widely depending on region, but for almost all of these some form of incised anthropomorphic face is found along the shield. Informants have attributed varying meanings to the faces. Sometimes it is explained to be human, denoting a connection to one’s ancestors. It has alternatively been explained that the face is that of a bush spirit (wunjumbu), water spirit (wanjimbaut), or a men’s house spirit (kundima).

The shields of the Blackwater and middle Karawari Rivers also feature faces, but rather than having only one central face, a number of faces line these significantly taller shields. These tend to be an average of about 80 in. in height as opposed to most other Iatmul shields which average 60 in. Here we see that the traditional vertical ridge is informally created by the prominent noses of the faces. If this shield ever was painted, no pigment remains. The dug-out back allowed for a rattan cross-piece and wooden grip to be attached to firmly secure the shield to one’s off-hand.

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