Pair of Mendi Carved-Wood War Shields from Papua New Guinea on Custom Stands

A pair of Papua New Guinea wooden shields on custom stands from the mid-20th century. These oceanic war shields were not only created for protecting oneself for tribal warfare, but also in ancestral and ritual worship. They are adorn in various motifs, coloring and symbolism, intended to protect the carrier from magic and bring fear to the opponent. The shorter shield is from the Mendi area within the Southern Highlands. The taller shield originates from the Melpa tribe of the Western Highlands (Mount Hagen and Wahgi Valley), an area which was not discovered by the outside world until three Australian gold prospectors entered the region during their explorations in 1934. These shields are displayed upright on a custom black iron stand, with the tallest of the set standing at a height of over 5.5 ft tall. This pair of Papua New Guinea shields...

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A large decorative and rare hand carved tribal war shield in traditional colors, made in Papua New Guinea in the late 19th century. Functional as beautiful ...