Shield
ClassificationsArms and Armor-shields
Culture
Chambri
Dateearly 20th Century
Made AtEast Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
Collection SiteEast Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
MediumWood and pigment
Dimensions55 5/8 × 11 5/8 × 2 1/8 in. (141.3 × 29.5 × 5.4 cm)
Credit LineAnonymous Gift
Object number2017.10.154
DescriptionThe shields of the Chambri people are very similar to the more prolific shields of the Iatmul. Here too, we see a large incised anthropomorphic face. The surrounding circles have been described in other Chambri shields as spirals. Looking closely at the pair of circles just below the face we can see that the design does indeed spiral outward here, but holistically looking at the seven ovals their surrounding designs appear to be ripples emanating from them. A number of Chambri shields have been sourced back to makers on the Salumei river, indicating that this shield may have been traded for by the Chambri.On View
Not on viewCollections
early to mid 20th Century
