This is a small wooden Asmat plaque shield created in Papua New Guinea in the second half of the twentieth century. It features a wide rectangular body with a decorative headpiece in the form of several human limbs emanating outwards from a stylized centerpiece. The main body is carved in geometric patterns, likely to represent ancestral spirits. The piece contains the remnants of paint layers, with signs of red and black appearing throughout. The dark complexion of the piece indicates that it may have been stored above a fireplace, where the smoke darkened the wood. The top of the piece consists of four limbs, each arrayed in a symmetrical fashion. The two top limbs are grasping a bar of wood which forms the frame of the piece. At the center is an ornamental centerpiece carved with undefined geometric patterns.
Pieces such as this likely form a ceremonial role in Asmat society. Like shields, they are carved to depict important cultural elements such as ancestral worship, spirituality, integration with nature, and the value of communal art. The lack of handle or other protrusions on this piece indicates that it was produced for a commemorative purpose as a plaque or decoration for a ritual.
Colors: Brown, Black, Red