A Nias Peoples, Indonesian Carved Wood Shield
A Nias Peoples, Indonesian Carved Wood Shield
Old smooth patina with traces of reddish pigment to the shaft
19th Century
Size: 124.5 cm high, 32 cm wide – 49 ins high, 12½ ins wide
132 cm high – 52 ins high ( including stand )
Old smooth patina with traces of reddish pigment to the shaft
19th Century
Size: 124.5 cm high, 32 cm wide – 49 ins high, 12½ ins wide
132 cm high – 52 ins high ( including stand )
Nias is the biggest of 131 smaller islands that lie off the western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia.
Bearing a resemblance to the Dayak shields of Borneo these war shields are used by the Nias in the south of the Island. These shields are also used by young warriors in a war dance and a manhood ritual that involves acrobatically leaping over the edge of two metre stone towers in order to prove their readiness to take a wife.
Bearing a resemblance to the Dayak shields of Borneo these war shields are used by the Nias in the south of the Island. These shields are also used by young warriors in a war dance and a manhood ritual that involves acrobatically leaping over the edge of two metre stone towers in order to prove their readiness to take a wife.
A Nias Peoples, Indonesian Carved Wood Shield
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