Item X 5792 Shield. Cardwell, Rainforest, Queensland, Australia. 1840 - 1890

Summary

This distinctively shaped shield is made from the buttress roots of the large milkwood trees of the north Queensland rainforests. It comes from the region from Cardwell to the Johnstone River. The surface bears witness to its use in battle.

Physical Description

An asymmetrical kidney-shaped shield made of single piece of softwood painted with natural pigments. The background is painted with yellow ochre with irregular small black dots. The abstract geometric patterning is outlined in black and infilled primarily with white pipe clay and also with red. The handle is carved into the reverse side and at the same point on the outer surface is a raised rectangular section. The upper surfaces has a number of indentations and one side is damaged.