Wunda Shield Aboriginal population Western Australia Wood,... Lot 58

Wunda Shield Aboriginal population Western Australia Wood, ochre and white pigments Presumed period: Early 20th century or earlier Dimensions: Height 79.8cm Width 16.5cm Provenance: Ex Songlines Aboriginal Art collection, Amsterdam Ex private collection, Maui, Hawaii (acquired from previous owner in May 2000) Sotheby's New York. November 22, 2021, lot 67 Private collection, France Carved from a medium-hard wood called Hakea ioria or Brachychiton gregorii, this wunda shield takes its name from the word paljgu (or palyku). The painted ornamentation on these shields is particularly graphic. Natural white and ochre pigments delineate a series of parallel grooves known as pandal. The significance of these motifs is linked to totemism and the legends characteristic of aboriginal beliefs. The back features a painted ochre pattern of vertical grooves and a horizontal motif of double vertical incisions above and in the center of the grip handle. This type of shield was mainly used to ward off blows from spears and boomerangs. The old wear on the periphery and the deep patina testify to the age of this shield.