Asmat Shield

In times of conflict, the Asmat shield is customarily christened after an ancestor, with the aspiration that the spirit of the forebear will reside within the shield. This ancestral presence serves not only to shield the warrior’s body from spears and arrows but also to strategically defend through craftiness and deceit. Consequently, the shield serves a dual purpose, acting both defensively and offensively. In contemporary settings, these shields find use in ceremonial dances or are displayed outside homes to ward off potential hostile neighbors from entering.

Asmat Tribe, circa 2000s
Origin: Sirets, Agats, Papua
Material: Natural Coloring Ebobo Wood and Sago Leaf Fiber
Size: 149 x 43 x 5,5 cm