Vintage oceanic shield, tribal wall art, Papua New Guinea, late 19th century.

A large decorative and rare tribal war shield, hand-carved in traditional colours, made in Papua New Guinea in the late 19th century. Functional as a beautiful wall decoration. This piece is in very good vintage condition. This shield likely originates from the Faiwol region, south of Telefomin. The patterns are somewhat freer and aesthetically less rigid than those of their northern neighbours in the Telefomin valley. There is still a strong geometric composition on this shield, with rounded and more organic edges, and four spirals giving it a figurative element.