Early Aboriginal Wunda shield
This type of shield is referred to as a Wunda shield (woonda) typically identified by fluted channels running parallel with each other in three distinctive panels. The central panel is always diagonal or horizontal. The channels can vary in thickness and precision. They are defined individually or in blocks with bands of color, typically red and white and occasionally with the additional of black.
These wunda shields were found pretty much through out Western Australia although their manufacture was centred round the Murchison and Cascoyne River region. Their dispersal was more a result of being traded rather than manufactured in to these other different regions. They may have been traded for simple economic reasons or religious purposes. These shields were used for a number of different functions. They were carried in battle to protect against spears, boomerangs and clubs. They were a status symbol carried by the older men and they were used in ceremonial ritual. This example dating to the 1920s shows very good age with remnants of ochre.
It comes with a custom made metal stand.
$3300 AUD
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