Fighting Shield

Artist	Unknown artist
Medium	wood, pigment
Size	1050 x 460 mm
Classification	Object
Department	International Art
Subjects	shields (armor), carvings
Accession Date	Jul 1988
Accession No	C1994/1/288
Credit Line	Chartwell Collection, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 1988

Description

The Ramu River is in the Madang province of New Guinea, and the tribes of this area are famous for their carvings. This mask possibly symbolizes Ndaro, a supernatural being. It is not an actual fighting shield but a showpiece and trophy intended to look like a used shield. The associated language group of this area are the Banaro people, who reach into the Upper Kerim river also. (Te Moananui a Kiwa, 2005)

Chartwell Notes

Please note: We have been unable to obtain direct approval for this image but we acknowledge the original maker. if the copyright owner is able to contact us, we will immediately respond. Regards Chartwell

Exhibition History

Auckland Art Gallery
Te Moananui a Kiwa
23 April 2005 - 22 January 2006
Curated by Ron Brownson