Name/Title
Middle Sepik River Region ShieldEntry/Object ID
MK_0247Description
This rectangular wooden shield is another remarkable example of the artistry and cultural heritage of the Iatmul people from the Middle Sepik region of Papua New Guinea. The Mauna Kea's collection, primarily featuring shields from this community, highlights just some of the unique traditions and craftsmanship of a region containing over 200 distinct communities.
Maintaining each group's identity was strong among these peoples, as was the ability to protect the community from hostile groups. Sepik shields, each community with its own distinct design style, symbolized this power. The unique designs served a dual purpose: to spiritually empower the shields and to act as a form of psychological warfare, intimidating their tribal adversaries.
Iatmul shields, such as this one, are celebrated for their intricate low-relief carvings. This particular shield bears low-relief carvings featuring several stylised masks - the serrated and curved lines create a dazzling effect intended to ward off enemies and embody the collective tribal identity. The craftsmanship of the piece, with its expressive eyes and tongues on the carved faces, reflects the deep cultural and spiritual essence of the Iatmul people, offering a tangible connection to their rich heritage.
This treasured piece has been in the Mauna Kea's collection since 1965, when Laurance Rockefeller developed the hotel, and was very recently restored.Made/Created
Place
Region
Middle Sepik RegionCountry
New GuineaContinent
OceaniaDimensions
Height
70-1/2 inLength
16 inLocation
* Untyped Location
1st Floor Kohala EndFloor
1st FloorBuilding
Beach WingRoom
2nd Floor Art Storage Room* Untyped Location
2nd Floor Kohala EndFloor
2nd FloorBuilding
Beach WingRoom
Kamani RoomBuilding
HBR Main TowerFloor
1st FloorBuilding
Beach Wing