Arawe Shield-Kandrian Area-New Britain-New Guinea Art
The three-part shield from the Arawe people of the Kandrian area along West New Britain’s south coast are iconic for the Bismarck Archipelago. Twenty years ago I remember a number of these striking shields on the market but it has been probably ten years since I have come across such an old example. The three planks are lashed together with strips of rattan and carved with groups of concentric circles spaced apart by columns of dentate designs. The backside is beautifully painted with an abstract pattern in red and black. The recessed handle shows extensive wear. This one comes from a Phoenix Arizona collection and is on the market for the first time in over 40 years. It dates to the early 20th century, stands 51 5/8” (131.2 cm) in height.