dayak shield and axe for comment
 

I just got this shield and this dayak axe that I just bought at auction. .these two objects come from the collection of an Admiral in the French Navy.


can you tell me if this shield is a shield of ceremony or war?


It measures 1 m length 19 x 41cm wide.
the axe has a very thick iron it measured 62cm long
I just waxing these two objects

Don't know anything about them, but that shield is fantastic.

The Axe : looks very good.
An agricultural tool btw. not a weapon. And for that reason quite rare in collections.

The shield....
The general shape looks fine, like an original shield suitable for warfare.

The handle, looks too big/thick, unusual shape. Can you make a close up ?

The skull and tusks look like a Naga feauture. strange because these cultures are not in contact. not a dayak decoration imho.

The colour/patina of the shield looks too brown / too dark / too wax like.

Any information on when this was collected ?

Best regards,
Willem

BOTH THE AX AND SHIELD ARE MADE IN BORNEO IN THE PROPER WAY. THE SHIELD IS FOR DANCE , CEREMONIES, PRESENTATION OR SALE. THE PIG TUSKS AND MONKEY SKULL MAKE IT A FIERCE LOOKING SHIELD. BUT IT IS EASIER TO DO THAN CARVING AND STAINING AN ELABORATE DESIGN ON THE SHIELD. I LIKE IT AND HAVE NOT SEEN A DAYAK SHIELD LIKE IT WITH TUSKS AND SKULL BEFORE. THE AX HEAD IS PROBABLY THE OLDEST OF THE LOT AND THE SHAFT MAY BE THE ORIGINAL BUT IS LIKELY NOT THE FIRST ONE THE AX HAS HAD.

I think that these objects were collected in the years 1920/1950.
the dark color just wax that I applied it
Here is a picture until I pass the wax

Thank you for the pictures.

This looks like an original colour without the wax.
I assume the shield is of a lightweight wood ?

I still have my doubts on when and why a skull was fixed to the shield.
This is sonething I have not seen before.

Yes the wood is light

I have a parang with a skull attached to scabbard this is not fetish?

Hi the Items look like they come from the late 1960s



Ben

OK THANK
ANTOINE