ASMAT SHIELDS on the forum

asomotif · 27th February 2010, 08:53 PM

I checked for threads on Amat shields, but found none.

Are there any Asmat collectors on the forum ?

best regards,
Willem

Tim Simmons · 1st March 2010, 06:04 PM

Yes, if only I could afford one.

VANDOO · 1st March 2010, 06:26 PM

I HAVE SEEN QUITE A FEW FOR SALE ON TRIPS BUT THE SHIPPING HAS ALWAYS BEEN TOO EXPENSIVE OR DIFFICULT SO I HAVE NOT AQUIRED ONE. THEY ARE LARGE IN SIZE I WILL PUT IN SOME PICTURES RANGEING IN SIZE FROM 142 CM., 177 CM. AND 148 X 33 CM.
THE SMALL PICTURE IS A SHIELD FROM PAPUA AND I DON'T THINK IT IS FROM THE ASMAT PEOPLE BUT ALL THE OTHERS ARE. I HAVE SOME CARVINGS AND OTHER ART AND WEAPONS BUT NO SHIELDS THEY WOULDN'T LET ME CARRY THEM ON THE AIRPLANE.

Sajen · 1st March 2010, 07:32 PM

It's mine, very old, look the patina at the handle. I've just tried to sell it but it seems that it feel good by me.

Tim Simmons · 10th March 2010, 08:04 PM

This is a very difficult area to explore, just being amateurs. Saying that is not to belittle our knowledge. The people in charge know little more when it comes to PNG. Apparently the externally carved handle integral to the back of the shield is generally excepted as a South Western form of shield making. Perhaps this very practical approach might extend a great distance. According to "Shields Of Melanesia" The Asmat shield may vary according to location as in, various nomadic tribes in the north of the recognised region called "Asmat". One also has to consider how much the influence of the market has had on the idea of what an Asmat shield is. I often believe the market some how creates a certain taste of its own.

VANDOO · 10th March 2010, 09:52 PM

NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL SHIELDS THAT HAD NO HANDLE AT ALL. I REMBER SEEING A FILM OF A BATTLE IN NEW GUINEA. THE TWO TRIBES APROACHED EACH OTHER AND PROPED UP THEIR SHIELDS AND HID BEHIND THEM AND JUMPED OUT TO THROW SPEARS OR SHOOT ARROWS AT EACH OTHER. THEY CARRIED A LOT OF ARROWS. WHEN SOMEONE WAS FINALLY KILLED THE TRIBE LOSING THE MAN WITHDREW AND THE WINNING TRIBE GOT TO KEEP ALL THE WEAPONS ON THE FIELD AS WELL AS THE FALLEN WARRIOR FOR A CELEBRATORY DINNER. I DON'T REMEMBER WHICH TRIBES WERE INVOLVED.
THERE IS MORE INFORMATION ON THE TRIBES FROM NEW GUINEA AS THEY HAVE EMERGED FROM THE STONE AGE RELATIVY RECENTLY. SOME ARE STILL VERY MUCH UNCHANGED TODAY AND SOME ARE VERY MODERN ITS A COUNTRY OF MANY CONTRASTS.
THERE IS A WIDE VARIETY OF SHIELDS IN THE AREA AS WELL AS MANY DIFFERENT DESIGNS. THE NEWER AZMAT SHIELDS MADE FOR SALE AS TRIBAL ART USUALLY HAVE LESS CARVED DESIGNS AND MOSTLY PAINTED DESIGNS.
UNFORTUNATELY I AM NO EXPERT AND THESE ARE JUST OBSERVATIONS I HAVE MADE OVER THE YEARS.

27th February 2010, 08:53 PM	#1
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,221	ASMAT SHIELDS on the forum I checked for threads on Amat shields, but found none. Are there any Asmat collectors on the forum ? best regards, Willem Attached Images

1st March 2010, 06:26 PM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I HAVE SEEN QUITE A FEW FOR SALE ON TRIPS BUT THE SHIPPING HAS ALWAYS BEEN TOO EXPENSIVE OR DIFFICULT SO I HAVE NOT AQUIRED ONE. THEY ARE LARGE IN SIZE I WILL PUT IN SOME PICTURES RANGEING IN SIZE FROM 142 CM., 177 CM. AND 148 X 33 CM. THE SMALL PICTURE IS A SHIELD FROM PAPUA AND I DON'T THINK IT IS FROM THE ASMAT PEOPLE BUT ALL THE OTHERS ARE. I HAVE SOME CARVINGS AND OTHER ART AND WEAPONS BUT NO SHIELDS THEY WOULDN'T LET ME CARRY THEM ON THE AIRPLANE. Attached Images

1st March 2010, 07:32 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,468	It's mine, very old, look the patina at the handle. I've just tried to sell it but it seems that it feel good by me. Attached Images

1st March 2010, 06:04 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,736	Yes, if only I could afford one.

10th March 2010, 08:04 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,736	This is a very difficult area to explore, just being amateurs. Saying that is not to belittle our knowledge. The people in charge know little more when it comes to PNG. Apparently the externally carved handle integral to the back of the shield is generally excepted as a South Western form of shield making. Perhaps this very practical approach might extend a great distance. According to "Shields Of Melanesia" The Asmat shield may vary according to location as in, various nomadic tribes in the north of the recognised region called "Asmat". One also has to consider how much the influence of the market has had on the idea of what an Asmat shield is. I often believe the market some how creates a certain taste of its own.

10th March 2010, 09:52 PM	#6
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL SHIELDS THAT HAD NO HANDLE AT ALL. I REMBER SEEING A FILM OF A BATTLE IN NEW GUINEA. THE TWO TRIBES APROACHED EACH OTHER AND PROPED UP THEIR SHIELDS AND HID BEHIND THEM AND JUMPED OUT TO THROW SPEARS OR SHOOT ARROWS AT EACH OTHER. THEY CARRIED A LOT OF ARROWS. WHEN SOMEONE WAS FINALLY KILLED THE TRIBE LOSING THE MAN WITHDREW AND THE WINNING TRIBE GOT TO KEEP ALL THE WEAPONS ON THE FIELD AS WELL AS THE FALLEN WARRIOR FOR A CELEBRATORY DINNER. I DON'T REMEMBER WHICH TRIBES WERE INVOLVED. THERE IS MORE INFORMATION ON THE TRIBES FROM NEW GUINEA AS THEY HAVE EMERGED FROM THE STONE AGE RELATIVY RECENTLY. SOME ARE STILL VERY MUCH UNCHANGED TODAY AND SOME ARE VERY MODERN ITS A COUNTRY OF MANY CONTRASTS. THERE IS A WIDE VARIETY OF SHIELDS IN THE AREA AS WELL AS MANY DIFFERENT DESIGNS. THE NEWER AZMAT SHIELDS MADE FOR SALE AS TRIBAL ART USUALLY HAVE LESS CARVED DESIGNS AND MOSTLY PAINTED DESIGNS. UNFORTUNATELY I AM NO EXPERT AND THESE ARE JUST OBSERVATIONS I HAVE MADE OVER THE YEARS.