Naga artist (Nagaland, northeast India)
“Although Naga shields were strong enough to deviate or attenuate a gunshot, widespread introduction of firearms at the beginning of this century has led to their decline as means of protection. They have, however, maintained an important role as ceremonial symbols. They appear in the hands of the most expert dancers during the ritual dances on the occasion of funerals and are place on the graves of the warriors, together with the panjis, sharpened splinters of bamboo which were driven into the ground in order to prevent the enemy from advancing. Either plaited bamboo and rawhide shields were used in war. The latter were V-shaped with a central handle either in bamboo or in Indian cane. Usually elephant hides or those of some varieties of buffalo were used. The animal hide was usually dried in the sun and then scraped to remove hair and fat and finally stroked at intervals with the stem of wild begonia. Decorations in white paint are typical for Phom shields, whereas Yimchunger and Khiamnungan shields are either painted black or left in their natural state. Together with the leather belts which were used in the past to protect the chest, shields were the only handmade products in which the Nagas used animal hides. Bags and belts of hide were very rare.”
— citation from The Nagas Catalog, Lorenzelli Gallery, Italy
Ex Mark Johnson Tribal Art
46.5″ high x 20″ wide x 6″ deep
$2500
