AN ASMAT WAR SHIELD

Provenance: Ancient collection Aviator of the early days of Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) in the 1940 th.

Text on the back: W. Gerbran, 20-11-'53
Tanah Merah (Above Digul)
Waipari

Among the Asmat, war shields are the most powerful symbolic elements of a warrior’s equipment, and have many layers of meaning. Traditionally, they were functional items used to protect warriors in battle by deflecting an enemy’s spears and arrows. The carved and painted images on the surface of the shields were also intended to frighten the enemy and symbolize the power of the ancestors.

Waipari, Masin, Yagay area, influences of Citak.
Asmat, Papua

Price:  €  5.000,-