An Aborigine Shield
Australia
Mid 19th Century
This hardwood shield or Wunda from Western Australia was carved with very fine grooves in a zig-zag pattern using stone tools. The reverse is decorated above and below the deeply carved handle with bands of ochre bordered with small indentations and traces of red ochre still remain.
height 77.5 cm width 16.5 cm (30.5 x 6.5 in)
Bibliography: Shields, Africa, Southeast Asia and Oceania From the Collections of the Barbier-Mueller Museum, 2002 p.236 illus.237