A VERY RARE MOLUCCAS WOOD PARRYING SHIELD

25 3/4” height. Finely formed, of generally convex profile, the upper and lower segments of slight concave form resulting in a gentle double recurve. Section of six facets. The surface blackened and inset with circular broken pottery segment. Integral carved hand grip. A little wear and a few of the pottery pieces chipped. Museum acquisition number to the back. A very similar shield collected before 1900, and from Ternate Islands (Northern Moluccas) is illustrated as #98 Expressions of Belief (Museum voor Volkenkunde, Rotterdam). This small size is deemed to be a sign of a very brave warrior.