Artefact: Shield AA97

Size: 58 x 16.5 x 5cm
natural earth ochre pigments on carved beanwood

A very finely fluted beanwood shield. Fight damaged.

** price includes hand crafted artefact stand

Central Australian shields were made from a light soft wood and were used to deflect spears or blows from boomerangs in conflict situations.

An oval shield is made from a single piece of softwood (red bean tree). Added strength was given by the handles being part of the structure which were cut out on the reverse side.

Grooves or fluting is typical on the outer surface of shields, and they can be painted with designs representing ancestral figures/stories using natural earth ochre pigments.