Eastern Asmat shield

Tim Simmons · 12th September 2012, 05:40 PM

Some very cool information can be found by exploring a collection of short Australian Museum videos here.

http://australianmuseum.net.au/movie...from-Mendi-PNG

Sajen · 12th September 2012, 07:34 PM

Hi Tim,

nice shield you have bought! Please post pictures from the handle and from the front carvings when you have received it. Quality signs are deep front carvings and age is shown by rounded edges from the front carvings. Do you have bought it from a netherlands seller?

Regards,

Detlef

asomotif · 12th September 2012, 09:34 PM

Hello Tim,

Finally an Asmat shield

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=asmat+shield

Nice shield with a motif I have not seen before.
Do you have info what this motif is ?

Surely not an "H" , the motif will probably be the shape surrounding the "H" I pressume.

Best regards,
Willem

Tim Simmons · 13th September 2012, 07:41 AM

I think if you have no idea what a letter ( H ) is and cannot read anyway. The design is probably read as both the red and the White, the purpose is to dazele the design seems to pulse at a glance. One is caught between the red and then the White. Just registering the White it becomes quite compliex. The basic layout of the design is very similar to the shield shown from " Shields of Melanesia". I got this shield here in the UK.

Mytribalworld · 13th September 2012, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

I think if you have no idea what a letter ( H ) is and cannot read anyway. The design is probably read as both the red and the White, the purpose is to dazele the design seems to pulse at a glance. One is caught between the red and then the White. Just registering the White it becomes quite compliex. The basic layout of the design is very similar to the shield shown from " Shields of Melanesia". I got this shield here in the UK.

Hi Tim,

I think your shield is indeed around the 70's and the double H can possibly read as "Heilig Hart" or in english " sacred heart"
The mission was very active around the 70 to encourage the Asmat carvers to pick up their old carving traditions. The Asmat sometimes mixed up Roman Catholic symbols in their carvings.
I wil list a pic of an Asmatpanel in my collection.

Arjan

Mytribalworld · 13th September 2012, 04:54 PM

on this panel what is carved in the shape of a church window they placed a Sacred Heart cross on top. However a different carving the basic idea is the same as with your shield.

Arjan

Tim Simmons · 13th September 2012, 05:34 PM

Thats most interesting Arjan. I have to say I see a far more vibrant design on my new shield. I have read that headhunting raids broke out at times into the 80s and later.

13th September 2012, 07:41 AM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	I think if you have no idea what a letter ( H ) is and cannot read anyway. The design is probably read as both the red and the White, the purpose is to dazele the design seems to pulse at a glance. One is caught between the red and then the White. Just registering the White it becomes quite compliex. The basic layout of the design is very similar to the shield shown from " Shields of Melanesia". I got this shield here in the UK. Last edited by Tim Simmons; 13th September 2012 at 08:04 AM.

13th September 2012, 04:54 PM	#6
Mytribalworld Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 400	on this panel what is carved in the shape of a church window they placed a Sacred Heart cross on top. However a different carving the basic idea is the same as with your shield. Arjan Attached Images

12th September 2012, 05:40 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Some very cool information can be found by exploring a collection of short Australian Museum videos here. http://australianmuseum.net.au/movie...from-Mendi-PNG

12th September 2012, 07:34 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,272	Hi Tim, nice shield you have bought! Please post pictures from the handle and from the front carvings when you have received it. Quality signs are deep front carvings and age is shown by rounded edges from the front carvings. Do you have bought it from a netherlands seller? Regards, Detlef

12th September 2012, 09:34 PM	#3
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,235	Hello Tim, Finally an Asmat shield http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=asmat+shield Nice shield with a motif I have not seen before. Do you have info what this motif is ? Surely not an "H" , the motif will probably be the shape surrounding the "H" I pressume. Best regards, Willem

13th September 2012, 05:34 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Thats most interesting Arjan. I have to say I see a far more vibrant design on my new shield. I have read that headhunting raids broke out at times into the 80s and later.