Featured 19th Century Western Desert Aboriginal Parrying Shield

Here's a piece we owned years ago.19th Century Australian W.Desert Aboriginal Parrying Shield.It ended up at Sotheby's.The incised carving was most likely done w/ a nail though some work may have been done with a sharp marsupial tooth.These were generally used for warfare & hunting,not for dancing.The handle is carved out in the back.

 

Should we understand that this was Australian?

 

Yep,from the Western Desert region of Australia.I'll see if I can edit the title.

 

That is a top quality Western Desert shield, bosko, thanks for showing us.

 

My pleasure.

 

a stunning piece of history .......sweeeeeet

 

thanks bro-i'd like to find more but stuff with this much soul is tough to sell.Actually easy to sell,but tough to part with !

 

I've sold many hard to part with cultural items.......keeps the power on , and food on my plate !!

 

True,we sold this & a few months later one of us got laid off & 2 of our cats got very sick,but this lovely stick paid the rent,the cats got well & a job was found .The Gods are tricksters.

 

An outstanding shield and effectively photographed.

 

Thanks MT,we enjoyed it for many years,it definitely had a presence.