Shield
Production date
19th Century
Country
Papua New Guinea
State/Province
Central Province
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Object detail
Description
Shield-hourglass type, bands of red cloth over feather bands covered with cane matting
Production date
19th Century
Production place
Measurements
L.810mm,W.454mm.
Media/Materials description
Wood, pigment, plant fibre, textile
History and use
This hourglass shield with painted decoration and wrapping of finely woven rattan is typical of the style produced in Papua New Guinea’s Central Province. Such shields were used by the Motu, Koita and Koiari peoples in the region around the capital of Port Moresby. This example would once have had brightly coloured feathers attached to the edges of the rattan sheath, but today all that remains are fragments of red fabric. The shield is thin and light, allowing its bearer quick and easy movement.
This object was collected in 1887 by the botanist Carl H. Hartmann, during an exploration trip to the Port Moresby hinterland. Hartmann had come to Papua at the request of the Special Commissioner of the Protected Territory in order to establish new plant species in the British settled areas of the colony.
This object was collected in 1887 by the botanist Carl H. Hartmann, during an exploration trip to the Port Moresby hinterland. Hartmann had come to Papua at the request of the Special Commissioner of the Protected Territory in order to establish new plant species in the British settled areas of the colony.
Registration number
MAC4757
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