A Superb New Guinea War Shield Simbai Area Madang Province Papua New Guinea

A Superb New Guinea War Shield Simbai Area Madang Province Papua New Guinea

This very beautiful old Shield is from the Kalam People in the Simbai Area of the Bismark Schrader Mountain Ranges in the Madang Province of Papua New Guinea.  This fine old shield is carved from a single piece of hardwood, pierced in the middle to hold a bush fibre rope handle.

Finely carved in high relief with diamond-shaped geometric designs.  The true nature of the design meaning or inspiration might only be known to the artist and his clan.

Kalam shields were designed to protect warriors both physically and spiritually from the chaos of battle. Their bulky forms could easily deflect projectiles like arrows and spears, as well as block attacks from clubs. Carefully carved sculptural elements and painted designs helped warriors to magically draw strength and protection from their ancestors, the spirits of animals, and the land itself.  Warfare was widespread among traditional enemies in neighbouring areas and alliances were made & broken regularly between groups.

These shields were used in battle sometimes by one man with the shield strung over his shoulder protecting his body but leaving his hands free to shoot his bow & arrows, other times it could be used by two men, one pushing the shield forward and another warrior hiding behind the shield and free to use his bow and arrows with great accuracy.

Old photos of fighting in the New Guinea Highlands show many warriors with shields facing off over a large space where people surge forward and then move back.  I have seen warriors standing on rural dirt roads with their shields expecting a fight, this was in the 1980s. when people later started to acquire guns the Shield became obsolete due to their not being effective against guns.

When wars were declared, men repainted their shields with dazzlingly vibrant colours to distract and threaten their enemies. Their designs signalled the status of the carrier, his prowess as a warrior, and his connection to the spiritual world.

War, a constant realigning of relationships between opposing tribal neighbours, is woven into the tapestry of daily life in New Guinea. Its three leading causes are all key factors in being the dominant group in a region: disputes over land borders, stolen pigs, and women.

Both the location and times of battles were scheduled, and the ensuing hostilities could often go on for months culminating in someone being hurt or killed in battle. Once all parties agreed that a fair battle had taken place and reparations were settled, usually in the form of pigs given to the family of the deceased, life would go on until another issue arose.

Kalam or Simbai Shields are highly sought by collectors because they fit in well with modern design & paintings.

This shield would date from the 19^th to early 20^th Century

Provenance: Collected by Missionary Pilot in the 1960s

 The Todd Barlin Collection of New Guinea Oceanic Art

See my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY  showing the Museums and Art Galleries Exhibitions that I provided artworks for over the past 40 years. There is the link to the article about my artworks published in the prestigious Louvre Magazine in 1996

I have artwork for Museums and art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery. I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.

My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specializes in New Guinea and Oceanic Art.  Sydney is very close to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbours.

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us