Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 252:
A distinct form of a Philippine shieldattributed to the Bontoc people of the northernPhilippines and now the Mountain region. Theshortened and flattened points of the shield, two onone side and three on the other, delineate this stylefrom the more well-known Igorot shield which haslonger and sharp points. Shields of this type areassociated with headhunting and would be carriedalongside the classic Bontoc axe, which were usedto cut the heads off of fallen enemies. Othershields of this type can be seen in the plates takenof Philippine arms captured during the SpanishAmerican war and the Philippine Insurrection andkept at the Smithsonian Institution.The shield in the Schmiedt Collection of a solidpiece of carved wood, but with some damage tothe sides. The ‘damaged’ sides of the shield are agood sign of authentic tribal use as during wartime(before and/or after) all warriors would celebrateand while walking in a row tap with a stick on thesides of their shield. These shields were thereforealso sometimes referred to as gaklaba i.e. soundof tapping on the shields now at the National Gallery of Australia.Other early images of these shields were published in an ethnographic study of the Bontoc.Total size: 38" x 16"Comparable auction sales:https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/16146/lot/4010/https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/16146/lot/4011/https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/21588/lot/14/References:1. Krieger, H. (1926) The Collection of Primitive Weapons and Armor of the PhilippineIslands in the United States National Museum. Smithsonian Institution; United StatesNational Museum, Bulletin 1372. Jenks, A.E. (1904) The Bontoc Igorot. Manila. Dept. of InteriorDetailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at [email protected]
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