Cuirass with Neck Guard
ClassificationsArms and Armor-armor
Culture
I-Kiribati
Date19th to early 20th Century
Made AtRepublic of Kiribati
MediumCoconut fiber, wood and human hair
Dimensions39 1/2 × 19 3/4 × 13 in. (100.3 × 50.2 × 33 cm)
Credit LineGift of Anne and Long Shung Shih
Object number2021.8.98
DescriptionThe horrific wounds inflicted by shark tooth weapons were largely mitigated by the elaborate armor worn by Kiribati warriors. A full set of armor consisted of a loosely woven coconut fiber full body suit, the more densely woven coconut fiber and human hair cuirass with attached head guard on display here, and a largely ornamental helmet made from a dried porcupine fish. Given that killing a foe often involved settling a debt by paying land to the family of the deceased, heavy sets of armor ensured that most combats ended in non-fatal wounds.On View
On viewCollections
early to mid 20th Century
early to mid 20th Century
early to mid 20th Century
early to mid 20th Century
mid 19th - early 20th Century