Western Highlands Shield-Melpa Culture-New Guinea Art-Oceanic Art
Here is a rare type of Western Highlands shield called “rumag” from the Wahgi Valley area. It has the classic red and white geometric motif that is considered figurative to the Melpa people who made and used these shields. This example is highly curved to provided protection to the archer crouched behind it. The pigments are old and layered, the patina on the reverse is thick and ancient. The top has a nice bad of woven rattan. The shield comes from a private San Francisco collection, dates to the early 20th century and is 58” (147.3 cm) in height. The price is $6500.