This is a large wooden Asmat war shield produced in Papua New Guinea in the late twentieth century. It features elaborate geometric carvings across its surface and stands over five feet tall. The sides are decorated with zig-zag patterns and straw tassels at equidistant points. The interior features symmetrical patterns painted in combinations of white, red, and black pigments. The top of the shield is painted in a bar of red and a bar of black pigment. The bottom of the shield is painted only in black. There are twelve tassels total, each strung through the sides of the piece and knotted.
War was incredibly common in Asmat society throughout history. Hostile tribes would battle one another in headhunting raids as a means of enacting vengeance for death in communities which were perceived as unnatural occurrences. The production of shields was both practical and ceremonial. Practical war shields would be made to protect individual warriors during raids and to intimidate their opponents. The paint and patterns on shields were often associated with magical properties and would be used in order to frighten other warriors. Ceremonial shields were produced for thumping in the ground at festivities and community rituals, such as funerals and initiations. Each shield is carved by the individual who uses it, given them a personal attachment quality. They are often highly stylized and decorated. They are prime examples of the high quality of craftsmanship found in all aspects of Asmat artistic culture. The shape and style of shields also varies drastically by region, and no two shields are the same.