Asmat Shield
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Asmat Shield
Maker
New Guinea
Possible placePapua New Guinea, Oceania
Possible placeIndonesia, Asia
MediumWood, paint
Dimensionsoverall: 57 1/4 in. x 19 in. x 1 1/2 in. (145.4 cm x 48.3 cm x 3.8 cm)
Credit LineGift of Lucienne and Claude Bloch, M.D. (Lucienne Schupf, Class of 1959)
Object number1997.34
Status
Not on viewRightsCopyright is retained in accordance with U.S. Copyright laws
Photo creditDavis Museum at Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA
More InformationMade from the plank roots of the mangrove tree, the shield is the critical element of an Asmat warrior’s equipment. Every warrior creates his own shield, carving it with complex symbolic forms and anthropomorphic elements with the aim of intimidating and disorienting both physical and spiritual enemies. Unlike other groups in New Guinea, the Asmat do not destroy the shield when its owner dies.