Collection Online
Medium
synthetic polymer paint on wood, cane, fibre, metal (wire)
Measurements
150.0 × 60.0 × 13.5 cm
Place/s of Execution
Gowigali village, Chuave District, Chimbu Province, Papua New Guinea
Accession Number
2005.379
Department
Pacific Art
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Presented through the NGV Foundation by Chris Boylan, Governor, 2005
© the artist
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation
Gallery location
Not on display
Physical description
This fighting shield is of traditional form, having made in the 1950s or 1960s and repainted as it is customary in this part of the PNG highlands. It bears the cane-binding characteristic of shields from this period and pecked design painted with red, yellow, white and blue paints. It has been used in tribal fighting over the past several years and repainted by the shield's owner during a time of conflict. The design is bilaterally symmetrical and based on a repetition of bold geometric elements.