A Fine and Early Narrow Shield

Darling River Region, New South Wales (mid nineteenth century)

carved hardwood and natural earth pigments

85.5cm high

PROVENANCE

Private Collection, Sydney

The Marc and Elena Pinto Collection, Perth

A fine, early parrying shield of diamond shaped cross-section and elongated triangular profile decorated on the front face in sections of zig-zag and chevron patterning etched into one half of the surface and cross-hatching in the other, with a solid cut handle. Traces of inlaid white pigment remain [D’lan, is this so – hard to tell from pic?]. The shield possesses a fine red ochred patina. The shape is typical of south-eastern Australian parrying shields and especially those made in the region around the Darling, Lachlan and Murrumbidgee Rivers in New South Wales. The shields were used for defending the holder from club blows in close combat. The repeated parallel zig-zag motifs, again typical of the style of the region, present a visually shimmering appearance that enhances the physical and spiritual efficacy of the weapon, while also dazzling the opponent. For similarly early parrying shields see Cooper, C. et al, Aboriginal Australia, Australian Gallery Directors Council, Sydney, 1981, p. 84, S26–S30, and Davies, S.M. with R. Stack, Collected: 150 Years of Aboriginal Art and Artifacts at the Macleay Museum, The University of Sydney, Sydney, 2002, p. 82, plate 98.

Wally Caruana