Naga, India or Burma: A very old leather shield belonging to a warrior of the Naga.
A tall, rectangular shield of the Naga tribe, who live in the mountainous regions in eastern India, on either side of the border to Burma (in Naga land, Assam, Manipur and in the Sagaging division in north-east Burma). The Naga were feared until the late 19th century as head hunters.
This Naga shield consists of the black-dyed hide of the gaur ox (Bos gaurus). It has a vertical central ridge and bulges out concavely to both sides. With 6 tufts of red coloured goat hair as decoration on the upper edge; as well as three circles lying on top of each other on both concave side pieces, and two central serrated decorative elements pointing downwards, all painted in white.
On the undecorated reverse a typical grip made of braided rattan straps and a carrying strap of twisted leather are attached.
An unusual old piece, with best usage patina and only minor damage (surface- and colour-scuffed on the front and more pronounced on the back; a small fracture, below centre).
About 1900 to first third of the 20th century; H: L: c. 80 cm, W: 36 cm. (ME) ASA
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
26.05.2015 - 15:00
- Estimate:
-
EUR 3,000.- to EUR 4,000.-
Naga, India or Burma: A very old leather shield belonging to a warrior of the Naga.
A tall, rectangular shield of the Naga tribe, who live in the mountainous regions in eastern India, on either side of the border to Burma (in Naga land, Assam, Manipur and in the Sagaging division in north-east Burma). The Naga were feared until the late 19th century as head hunters.
This Naga shield consists of the black-dyed hide of the gaur ox (Bos gaurus). It has a vertical central ridge and bulges out concavely to both sides. With 6 tufts of red coloured goat hair as decoration on the upper edge; as well as three circles lying on top of each other on both concave side pieces, and two central serrated decorative elements pointing downwards, all painted in white.
On the undecorated reverse a typical grip made of braided rattan straps and a carrying strap of twisted leather are attached.
An unusual old piece, with best usage patina and only minor damage (surface- and colour-scuffed on the front and more pronounced on the back; a small fracture, below centre).
About 1900 to first third of the 20th century; H: L: c. 80 cm, W: 36 cm. (ME) ASA
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
|
Buyers hotline
Mon.-Fri.: 10.00am - 5.00pm
kundendienst@dorotheum.at +43 1 515 60 200 |
| Auction: | Tribal Art |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 26.05.2015 - 15:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 20.05. - 26.05.2015 |