KIWAI MAN’S PUBLIC SHIELD YADERE-ERE – Western Papua New Guinea – 19th to early 20th C

DESCRIPTION/EXPERTISE
Men of the peoples living around the muddy estuarine waters of the western shores of the Gulf of Papua from Goaribari Island to the mouth of the Fly River, and further into Islands of the Torres Strait, wore these public shields cut from large of the ‘Helo’ or bailer shell. They would wear them during raids and in warfare with the neighboring tribes, and also when dancing was required on ceremonial occasions.

MEDIUM
shell, original woven fibre binding

SIZE
24cm high – 18cm wide – 7,5cm depth

PROVENANCE
Ex European Private Collection

PRICE
€ 1.450

Expertly mounted
All dimensions are without the mounting