Highlands, Papua New Guinea
Early 20th century
Wood, fiber, natural pigments
Height 43 in / 109.2 cm
Provenance: Private Collection, Massachusetts; Private Collection, New York; Sydney Trade
This Highlands shield from Papua New Guinea is carved from wood and painted with natural pigments in a bold geometric composition. Shields from the New Guinea Highlands were used in warfare and intergroup conflict, while their painted surfaces also served as markers of identity, affiliation, and visual presence. The design on this example has a strong graphic quality, combining traditional shield form with a composition that reads with unusual modernity.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Highlands, Papua New Guinea
Early 20th century
Wood, fiber, natural pigments
Height 43 in / 109.2 cm
Provenance: Private Collection, Massachusetts; Private Collection, New York; Sydney Trade
This Highlands shield from Papua New Guinea is carved from wood and painted with natural pigments in a bold geometric composition. Shields from the New Guinea Highlands were used in warfare and intergroup conflict, while their painted surfaces also served as markers of identity, affiliation, and visual presence. The design on this example has a strong graphic quality, combining traditional shield form with a composition that reads with unusual modernity.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
