The South Pacific island of New Guinea was one of the last places on the planet to be contacted by the West. For most of it’s over 800 cultures warfare was a constant threat. In many areas becoming a man was only accomplished with the taking of human life.War shields such as this were considered living beings animated by one’s ancestral and bush spirits.These spirits portrayed on the front of the shield had powers to protect its owner while both startling and confusing the enemy. This shield, has a spiritual and aesthetic integrity rarely encountered in art today.
New Guinea Fighting Shield Yuat River area, late 19th century 70" in height Collected in 1931 by Ragnar A.Lindahl, the Royal Swedish Consul to the Territory of New Guinea
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