**Originally Listed At $2000**

Southeast Asia, The Philippines, Luzon Island, northern mountain region, Ifugao Tribe, ca. second half of the 19th century CE. A beautiful, hand-carved wooden tower shield, of a slender form with a slightly convex obverse, curved upper corners, a flat back, and an integral vertical handle with a recessed hand well on the verso. The front of the shield features an intriguing low-relief scene of two stylized lizards crawling upwards towards a central ovoid bulge, and on top an abstract anthropomorphic figure stands with one raised arm. Attractive patina envelops the entire composition, and traces of white pigment suggest this shield may have at one time been painted with bright pigment. Size: 14" W x 51.875" H (35.6 cm x 131.8 cm).

A stylistically-similar example held by a warrior can be seen in "The National Geographic Magazine." 1912, Vol. 23, p. 881.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-John Richardson collection, Massachusetts, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#148231

Small nicks to obverse, peripheries, and handle on verso, with light softening to some raised details, chipping to original pigmentation, and minor insect damage, otherwise intact and very good. Great patina and faint traces of original pigment throughout. Old inventory label on bottom of verso.