Shield (bigin)
Production date
1959-1990
Country
Australia
State/Province
Queensland
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Object detail
Description
Small carved wooden ranforest shield with geometric ochre pattern in yellow, red, white and black.
Classification
INDIGENOUS CULTURES Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander shield
Maker
Production date
1959-1990
Production place
Measurements
L540 x W305 x D70mm
Media/Materials description
Wood
Natural Pigment - Ochre
Natural Pigment - Ochre
History and use
This item was made sometime between 1959 and 1989. Ernie stipulated that this type of shield was made by boys before they became men. It is much smaller than traditional rainforest shields.
In 2016, the Queensland Museum purchased a collection of items from Jirrbal Elder, Dr Ernie Grant. The Ernie Grant Collection represents the cultural and social life of Ernie Grant and his family.
The objects in the Museum’s Ernie Grant Collection include boomerangs, shields, a ceramic shield created by artist Danie Mellor, firesticks, a shadow box and baskets – these are representative of Ernie’s wider personal collection, and document key moments in Ernie’s life and work.
Ernie is a Jirrbal man from Tully in Far North Queensland. He has worked widely across Queensland. In his early days, Ernie worked for the Railways, and for government departments controlling noxious weeds. From there, he worked in the timber industry in Papua New Guinea, and in 1991 joined the Queensland Education Department as a Cultural Research Officer based in Cairns.
Ernie’s work in the Queensland Education system has made a significant impact in the way language and culture are taught in the Queensland curriculum. He was instrumental in the development of holistic planning and teaching frameworks, for embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and knowledge in the education system.
In 2016, the Queensland Museum purchased a collection of items from Jirrbal Elder, Dr Ernie Grant. The Ernie Grant Collection represents the cultural and social life of Ernie Grant and his family.
The objects in the Museum’s Ernie Grant Collection include boomerangs, shields, a ceramic shield created by artist Danie Mellor, firesticks, a shadow box and baskets – these are representative of Ernie’s wider personal collection, and document key moments in Ernie’s life and work.
Ernie is a Jirrbal man from Tully in Far North Queensland. He has worked widely across Queensland. In his early days, Ernie worked for the Railways, and for government departments controlling noxious weeds. From there, he worked in the timber industry in Papua New Guinea, and in 1991 joined the Queensland Education Department as a Cultural Research Officer based in Cairns.
Ernie’s work in the Queensland Education system has made a significant impact in the way language and culture are taught in the Queensland curriculum. He was instrumental in the development of holistic planning and teaching frameworks, for embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and knowledge in the education system.
Associated person
Registration number
QE40767