Shield Item Number: 3383/8 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Shield with designs carved in low relief on the concave front. The body has abstract mirrored M-shaped designs in orange-red, outlined in black, with off-white in the negative space. The top of the shield has two large round white eyes, outlined in black with black pupils and a vertical ridge extending down between them. Back is plain with a large vertical carved handle. A loop of plant fibre is tied to the handle with a Jayapura Airport (DJJ) Merpati airlines luggage tag attached.
Narrative
According to the donor, the Asmat objects in this accession (3383/1-12), as well as one other carving sold to MOA in 1990 (1481/1), were collected by an explorer named Jim Allen during two trips: one in the spring of 1989, the other in the fall of 1989. On the second expedition they explored the remote Asmat territories of the upper Brazza and Senggo, by hiking down from the highlands.
Item History
- Made in Basim, Papua, Indonesia
- Collected during 1989
- Owned by Jim Allen
- Owned by Joanne Fallow before August 21, 2019
- Received from Joanne Fallow (Donor) on August 21, 2019
What
- Name
- Shield
- Identification Number
- 3383/8
- Type of Item
- shield
- Material
- wood, paint and plant fibre
- Overall
- height 198.0 cm, width 47.0 cm, depth 16.5 cm
Who
- Culture
- Asmat
- Previous Owner
- Jim Allen and Joanne Fallow
- Received from
- Joanne Fallow (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Basim, Papua, Indonesia
When
- Collection Date
- during 1989
- Ownership Date
- before August 21, 2019
- Acquisition Date
- on August 21, 2019
Other
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 3383/0008