Post #409797 by squid on Wed, Sep 24, 2008 2:14 PM

The swap meet gods have smiled upon me.

Lumi, West Sepik, Toricelli Mtns. PNG Battle Shield.

This is BIG at 38.5" H x 27" W. The dealer gave me very little history but I will attempt to get more info. Definitely VERY OLD and by what I've been able to research, probably pre-20th Century. The picture hanging wire is even old, so this probably hung out on someone's wall for decades. The carving is really nice in that it was done in a high relief with scrolls incised within the relief. Most of the handle is gone but what remains also shows major age. Note the really nice rattan lugs with fine braiding. It has a couple of long cracks along the grain, but they seem to have occurred when the shield was green or possibly due to battle damage long ago. There is noticable solidified sap within those cracks.

Call me Mr Happy!