War Shield - Asmat People Area B
Weo Village
West Irian Jaya, Northwest Territory
1930s or before
Height 78 1/2"
Provenance: Jonathan French, Camano Island, WA
Erik Farrow, Marin, CA
Paul Harris, Anchorage AK
Joel Cooner, Dallas TX
This is a classic Area B example and without a doubt the finest and most important example known.The shield still bears traces of natural pigments, and is classically weo style, in that it dates from the time when shields could be attributed to specific villages based upon their style alone. Its size and condition are remarkable for its age and most likely carved without the use of metal tools. Its history is apparent from the spear and arrow points imbedded in its surface. The head of the shield is of the rayfish (visi variety), and the motifs occupying the body of the shield are typical of this region. There is a very old crack that runs vertically from the bottom of the shield on the right side, and a spear tip is lodged at the center of this crack. There are numerous arrow tips in the shield, as well as at least two holes made by arrows or spears. The grip on the reverse is well used and worn.
The shield was collected in the village of Weo, in the western district of Asmat Territory. At the time of collection it was owned by a man named Souker. In the early 1950's this shield was carried into into a now legendary battle by the Weo war chief "Kormur" against the village of Irogo. In this battle, Timinin, the war chief from Irogo, got close enough to Komur to throw a spear directly at him. The spear lodged in the shield and its tip remains. Timinin was killed by the men of Weo, and his head taken as a trophy. After the death of Komur, the shield was named for him. At the time of collection, the shield still bore the name "Komur”. Rare!
Copies of previous bills of sale will be provided to buyer.
Weo Village
West Irian Jaya, Northwest Territory
1930s or before
Height 78 1/2"
Provenance: Jonathan French, Camano Island, WA
Erik Farrow, Marin, CA
Paul Harris, Anchorage AK
Joel Cooner, Dallas TX
This is a classic Area B example and without a doubt the finest and most important example known.The shield still bears traces of natural pigments, and is classically weo style, in that it dates from the time when shields could be attributed to specific villages based upon their style alone. Its size and condition are remarkable for its age and most likely carved without the use of metal tools. Its history is apparent from the spear and arrow points imbedded in its surface. The head of the shield is of the rayfish (visi variety), and the motifs occupying the body of the shield are typical of this region. There is a very old crack that runs vertically from the bottom of the shield on the right side, and a spear tip is lodged at the center of this crack. There are numerous arrow tips in the shield, as well as at least two holes made by arrows or spears. The grip on the reverse is well used and worn.
The shield was collected in the village of Weo, in the western district of Asmat Territory. At the time of collection it was owned by a man named Souker. In the early 1950's this shield was carried into into a now legendary battle by the Weo war chief "Kormur" against the village of Irogo. In this battle, Timinin, the war chief from Irogo, got close enough to Komur to throw a spear directly at him. The spear lodged in the shield and its tip remains. Timinin was killed by the men of Weo, and his head taken as a trophy. After the death of Komur, the shield was named for him. At the time of collection, the shield still bore the name "Komur”. Rare!
Copies of previous bills of sale will be provided to buyer.
Weo Village
West Irian Jaya, Northwest Territory
1930s or before
Height 78 1/2"
Provenance: Jonathan French, Camano Island, WA
Erik Farrow, Marin, CA
Paul Harris, Anchorage AK
Joel Cooner, Dallas TX
This is a classic Area B example and without a doubt the finest and most important example known.The shield still bears traces of natural pigments, and is classically weo style, in that it dates from the time when shields could be attributed to specific villages based upon their style alone. Its size and condition are remarkable for its age and most likely carved without the use of metal tools. Its history is apparent from the spear and arrow points imbedded in its surface. The head of the shield is of the rayfish (visi variety), and the motifs occupying the body of the shield are typical of this region. There is a very old crack that runs vertically from the bottom of the shield on the right side, and a spear tip is lodged at the center of this crack. There are numerous arrow tips in the shield, as well as at least two holes made by arrows or spears. The grip on the reverse is well used and worn.
The shield was collected in the village of Weo, in the western district of Asmat Territory. At the time of collection it was owned by a man named Souker. In the early 1950's this shield was carried into into a now legendary battle by the Weo war chief "Kormur" against the village of Irogo. In this battle, Timinin, the war chief from Irogo, got close enough to Komur to throw a spear directly at him. The spear lodged in the shield and its tip remains. Timinin was killed by the men of Weo, and his head taken as a trophy. After the death of Komur, the shield was named for him. At the time of collection, the shield still bore the name "Komur”. Rare!
Copies of previous bills of sale will be provided to buyer.