Papua New Guinea, late 20th century
Carved hardwood, natural pigments, 88 × 34 × 4 cm (approx. 2 kg)
Good condition, consistent with age.
A carved and painted ceremonial shield from the Asmat region of Papua New Guinea. The elongated vertical form is articulated with bold, rhythmic motifs rendered in earth pigments of ochre, black and white.
Carved from a single plank of hardwood and weighing nearly two kilograms, the piece carries a grounded physical presence despite its relatively slender profile. The surface retains the directness of hand-worked material, with subtle irregularities that reinforce its authenticity. Abstracted imagery associated with protection and ancestral continuity is reflected in the graphic pattern.
Cultural origin and sculptural form are in disciplined balance here, while the shield’s scale, silhouette, and structural clarity enable it to command authority in a space.
Papua New Guinea, late 20th century
Carved hardwood, natural pigments, 88 × 34 × 4 cm (approx. 2 kg)
Good condition, consistent with age.
A carved and painted ceremonial shield from the Asmat region of Papua New Guinea. The elongated vertical form is articulated with bold, rhythmic motifs rendered in earth pigments of ochre, black and white.
Carved from a single plank of hardwood and weighing nearly two kilograms, the piece carries a grounded physical presence despite its relatively slender profile. The surface retains the directness of hand-worked material, with subtle irregularities that reinforce its authenticity. Abstracted imagery associated with protection and ancestral continuity is reflected in the graphic pattern.
Cultural origin and sculptural form are in disciplined balance here, while the shield’s scale, silhouette, and structural clarity enable it to command authority in a space.
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