Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 254:
A rare form of an Indonesian shield from the Iban or Kenyah Dayak people, thisshield is called a kliau and is of classic form. This distinctly unpainted and unmarked example islikely of considerable age. The shield is carved from a single piece of timber, banded with wovencane to stop it being split longitudinally from sword blows. The wood has developed a goldenbrown colour and patina, with subtle decoration to areas, grooved and branded geometric motifsto the front cane and edges, and the grip.Warfare played a central role in the art and culture of the Dayak peoples of Borneo. Theseshields were used in hand to hand combat to protect against the use of metal spears and thefeared Mandau parang ihlang. In other situations, the attackers would creep into the village atnight and set alight the huts that were built on poles to force the occupants out. The warriorswould hold the shields above their heads to protect themselves from objects dispatched fromabove, such as poison blow darts, boiling water, rocks, or any other heavy object. The shieldswere also used as ceremonial dance accessories.In addition to hereditary rank, prowess in warfare and success in taking enemy heads were theprimary means for a man to achieve social prominence. The larger kliau shields also providedthe bearer supernatural protection and many shields were decorated with locks of human hairobtained from slain enemies. The presence of hair on a shield indicated that the owner was an accomplished warrior.Provenance – Schmiedt Collection.Total size : 54" x 13" Comparable auction sales:https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/16979/lot/5001/https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/21588/lot/21/https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2018/coll-z-pf1848/lot.38.htmlReferences:1. Van Zonneveld, A.G. (2001). Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago.Leiden: Art Books2. Evans, B. (ed.) (2019). War Art & Ritual. Shields from the Pacific.Detailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at [email protected]
Share this lot:
