Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Bill · 19th December 2009, 07:43 AM

Very nice one.
I've got one exactly the size of the auction shield. The cut-outs are to pin limbs & the head of a victim. Several men would be in the war party & use the shields to incapacitate the target. My small one only has 3.75" on the single cut-out & 1.75" on the double. The "normal" 42"x 13" has 4.75" on the single & 3" on the double cut-out & is much thicker.
Doesn't sound like a big difference but in handling the 2 different sizes, one can clearly see the smaller one is not meant for combat. The one in the auction has exaggerated depth & too narrow of cut-out's to be practical.
My larger ones show the wear & repairs & are without any finish. The smaller is 2 tone apparently from some sort of charcoal paste contrasted in other sections by well oiled polishing. The rattan on both sizes shows age.
The US dominance curtailed the head hunting, so it seems likely the smaller ones are post head hunting & strictly ceremonial. I suppose their compact size would also make them more marketable for service men.
The smaller one looks great hanging on the wall, while the "warrior" ones are in a closet. The auction one will make a great display piece.

19th December 2009, 07:43 AM	#6
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	Very nice one. I've got one exactly the size of the auction shield. The cut-outs are to pin limbs & the head of a victim. Several men would be in the war party & use the shields to incapacitate the target. My small one only has 3.75" on the single cut-out & 1.75" on the double. The "normal" 42"x 13" has 4.75" on the single & 3" on the double cut-out & is much thicker. Doesn't sound like a big difference but in handling the 2 different sizes, one can clearly see the smaller one is not meant for combat. The one in the auction has exaggerated depth & too narrow of cut-out's to be practical. My larger ones show the wear & repairs & are without any finish. The smaller is 2 tone apparently from some sort of charcoal paste contrasted in other sections by well oiled polishing. The rattan on both sizes shows age. The US dominance curtailed the head hunting, so it seems likely the smaller ones are post head hunting & strictly ceremonial. I suppose their compact size would also make them more marketable for service men. The smaller one looks great hanging on the wall, while the "warrior" ones are in a closet. The auction one will make a great display piece.