New Guinea, South Coast, Asmat territory: a large and old battle shield, decorated in relief and painted.
New Guinea, South Coast, Asmat territory: a large and old battle shield, decorated in relief and painted.
A large war shield from the northeastern hinterland of the Asmat tribe’s territory. Made from a piece of wood, usually a large buttress root of a mangrove tree. A war shield of the Asmat always represents a ‘powerful ancestor’ who protects the warrior behind the shield and frightens the attacker.
Additionally, the front side is always carved with different motifs in relief: the upper section features the ancestor’s ‘head’. The circular segments represent his ‘cheeks’, with the ‘nose’ in the middle (red). A ‘navel’ is visible at the centre of the shield, in addition to other motifs, such as a typical nose peg of the Asmat, known as ‘Bipane’ (usually 2 volutes of shell material), a ‘water vortex’ etc. Dyed black, white and red with earth colours and soot. The back of the shield is smooth and unpainted. A thick, heavy grip is carved from the same piece of wood.
A piece in good condition, with only minor age-related damage, and very good usage patina (especially on the grip at the back!). First half of the 20th century; H: 156 cm, W: 54 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Collected by the consignor in the 1980s near the Dairam River, in the northeastern hinterland of the Asmat territory. Austrian private collection.
Lit.: ‘Asmat. Leben mit den Ahnen’ by Konrad & Schneebaum, p. 43–61, with numerous illustrations;
‘Art in Oceania’ by P. Brunt & N. Thomas, ill. p. 116.
Esperto: Prof. Erwin Melchardt
Prof. Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
05.11.2014 - 13:00
- Prezzo realizzato: **
-
EUR 2.500,-
- Stima:
-
EUR 3.600,- a EUR 4.000,-
New Guinea, South Coast, Asmat territory: a large and old battle shield, decorated in relief and painted.
A large war shield from the northeastern hinterland of the Asmat tribe’s territory. Made from a piece of wood, usually a large buttress root of a mangrove tree. A war shield of the Asmat always represents a ‘powerful ancestor’ who protects the warrior behind the shield and frightens the attacker.
Additionally, the front side is always carved with different motifs in relief: the upper section features the ancestor’s ‘head’. The circular segments represent his ‘cheeks’, with the ‘nose’ in the middle (red). A ‘navel’ is visible at the centre of the shield, in addition to other motifs, such as a typical nose peg of the Asmat, known as ‘Bipane’ (usually 2 volutes of shell material), a ‘water vortex’ etc. Dyed black, white and red with earth colours and soot. The back of the shield is smooth and unpainted. A thick, heavy grip is carved from the same piece of wood.
A piece in good condition, with only minor age-related damage, and very good usage patina (especially on the grip at the back!). First half of the 20th century; H: 156 cm, W: 54 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Collected by the consignor in the 1980s near the Dairam River, in the northeastern hinterland of the Asmat territory. Austrian private collection.
Lit.: ‘Asmat. Leben mit den Ahnen’ by Konrad & Schneebaum, p. 43–61, with numerous illustrations;
‘Art in Oceania’ by P. Brunt & N. Thomas, ill. p. 116.
Esperto: Prof. Erwin Melchardt
Prof. Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
|
Hotline dell'acquirente
lun-ven: 10.00 - 17.00
kundendienst@dorotheum.at +43 1 515 60 200 |
| Asta: | Tribal Art |
| Tipo d'asta: | Asta in sala |
| Data: | 05.11.2014 - 13:00 |
| Luogo dell'asta: | Wien | Palais Dorotheum |
| Esposizione: | 31.10. - 05.11.2014 |
** Prezzo d'acquisto comprensivo di tassa di vendita e IVA
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