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War Shield, New Guinea, Sulka People, 19th C

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War Shield, New Guinea, Sulka People, late 19th Century. A 'smiling face' above a larger central much more intimidating are colored in red, white and blue pigments. Integral bolsters with white pigment and fastening restrictions remain mainly intact on the reverse side. This war shield is a large and well preserved relic from the South Pacific. These war shields were decorated with bold and dazzling designs as a key feature to visually intimidate an enemy. Shields were used across the region to dazzle and de-moralize an enemy both in warfare and ritual. There is a very similar war shield to this one that is in the collection of the British Museum of London.
Provenance: Miki and James J. Mangan III of Fairfield, CT
Size: H. 72.5" x L. 17.25" x D. 9.25"
Weight: 23lbs
Condition: Very good, coloring still vibrant and intact.
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Warrior shields of New Guinea: The design on a shield reflects important objects connected with a warrior’s ancestors. It draws upon features from the landscape, bird and animal life, and human beings. The circular shape at the center of the shield represents a man’s belly while the zigzag lines along the edges represent a snake or its tracks.
The shield are usually painted with red ochre and white made from weathered limestone and black made from soot mixed with water.
There are traditional alliances and rivalries between the tribal groups in the Highlands area of Papua New Guinea, where this shield is from. When warfare was expected, warriors repainted their shields to ensure that the colours shone brilliantly against the sun to dazzle and threaten the opposing side.
In the western Pacific, shields would be named by warriors, and possessed a life essence, or spirit, that connected them to their ancestors. When fighting was about to break out, a warrior spoke to his shield to let it know.

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