Australian Aboriginal artefacts: shields

Aboriginal Parrying Shield with Incised Decoration, c.1920, Southeast Australia

Australian Aboriginal parrying shield, c.1920, South East Australian, of narrow facetted form, with incised decoration and name, length 66 cm. Provenance: Marc Pinto, 2006, then Private Collection, Queensland.

Aboriginal Beanwood Shield with Totemic Design and Ochre Pigment

Central Australian Aboriginal ceremonial Beanwood shield, painted with ceremonial totemic design, in natural ochre pigment, with good patina, 67 cm x 20.5 cm. Provenance: Keith Hofmaier collection, Victoria,

Aboriginal Wunda Shield with Zig Zag Motifs, Western Australia

Australian Aboriginal Wunda shield, Western Australian, of elongated oval form, beautifully decorated with grooved line and zig zag motifs in ochre tones, a/f, length 89 cm

Aboriginal Parrying Shield with Carved Geometric Motifs and Ochre Wash

Australian Aboriginal parrying shield, of bowed form, decorated with carved geometric motifs with a red ochre wash, in orange and brown tones, length 93 cm

Central Desert Aboriginal Battle Shield, Geometric Line Motifs, Mulga Wood

Australian Aboriginal Battle shield, central Desert, in mulga, of narrow almond form, both sides incised with geometric line motifs, length 83 cm. Provenance: Arthur Palmer, then private

Aboriginal Broad Shield with Incised Decoration, c.1920

Australian Aboriginal broad shield, c.1920, Victorian, of leaf form, with incised and cross hatched decoration, length77 cm. Provenance: mark Pinto gallery, then Private Collection, Queensland.

Aboriginal Beanwood Shield with Ceremonial Design, Bond Springs Collection

Australian Aboriginal old beanwood shield, Bond Springs near Alice Springs, painted with ceremonial design in natural earth pigments, 65 cm x 22 cm. Provenance: Keith Hofmaier collection, Victoria,

Australian Aboriginal Parrying Shield with Stone Cut Marks, Victoria

19th century Australian Aboriginal parrying shield, Victoria, of elongated almond form, with stone cut marks, excellent patina, length 71 cm. Provenance: Marc Pinto gallery, 2006, then Private Collection, Queensland

Intricately Carved Aboriginal Hardwood Shield, Early 20th Century

Aboriginal artist unknown, a very fine early carved hardwood shield, circa early 20th century, with carved intricate fluted design on the front and deeply carved geometric design on the back. Rubbed with natural earth pigments. 77 x 18 cm

Wunda Shield: Early 20th Century Aboriginal Artifacts

Aboriginal artist unknown. Wunda shield circa early 20th century. With deeply carved diagonal and vertical lines rubbed with red and white ochres to the front, and fine vertical fluting to the back. Length 65 cm. (with stand).

Unknown Aboriginal Artist: Wunda Shield, Early 20th Century

Aboriginal artist unknown. Wunda shield circa early 20th century. Carved with alternating diagonal bands to the front (showing traces of ochres), and finely carved diagonal fluting to the bacl. Length 72 cm. (with stand).

Broken Hill Aboriginal Hardwood Shield, Early 20th Century Art Piece

Aboriginal artist unknown. Broken Hill area hardwood shield circa early 20th century. With fine carving to front and back. Length 56 cm. Provenance: with same family since 1950s.

Emu Motif Hardwood Shield: Aboriginal Art from Early 20th Century

Aboriginal artist unknown, a carved hardwood shield with animal motifs circa early 20th century, with carved emus to the exterior surface and fine fluted alternating diagonal patterns to the interior. 54 x 20 cm

La Grange Hardwood Shield with Intricate Carved Designs, 19th-20th Century

Aboriginal artist unknown, an early La Grange hardwood shield circa late 19th-early 20th century, with carved intricate fluted design on the front and intricate interlocking design on the back. 72.5 x 13 cm

East Australian Parrying Shield with Geometric Diamond Patterns, 19th Century

Aboriginal artist unknown, East Australian parrying shield Coranderrk Mission or similar, circa last quarter 19th century. Exterior surface finely carved with bands of geometric repeating diamond patterns and rubbed with natural earth pigments. 65 cm long

Queensland Rainforest Shield by Michael Anning, late 20th century

Michael Booiyool Anning b.1955, Queensland rainforest shield circa late 20th century, natural earth pigments and synthetic polymer paint on carved wood. Inscribed verso: [M Anning bark buckets]. 105 x 36.5 cm

La Grange Aboriginal Hardwood Shield, Early 20th Century

Aboriginal artist unknown, an early La Grange hardwood shield circa early 20th century, with carved intricate fluted design on the front and intricate interlocking design on the back. Smooth patina, 66 x 9 cm

Unknown Aboriginal Artists: Carved Shield and Woomera, 20th Century

Aboriginal artists unknown. A carved shield and a woomera circa mid to late 20th century, each being carved to front and back, the shield painted with natural earth pigments. The spear thrower with sinew-bound hook, and a roughened handle. Shield 76.5 cm…

Central Desert Aboriginal Shield, Early-Mid 1900s

Aboriginal artist unknown. Central Desert shield early to Mid-1900s. Carved beanwood. 72 x 21.5 cm. Large size with inset handle and curved flukes as found on early shields of this type. With patina and wear from use

Western Desert Shield, Early 1900s Aboriginal Carved Wood Art

Aboriginal artist unknown. Western Desert shield early 1900s. Carved wood. 76 x 11 cm. With horizontal bands carved on the front and linear patterns with dots on the reverse. Wood has a dry patina from tribal handling and use. With stand

Australian Aboriginal Gulmari Shield with Circle and Dot Motifs

Australian Aboriginal shield, Gulmari type, in beechwood, of curved oval form, painted with three circle and dot motifs to front, length 67 cm. Provenance: Arthur Beau Palmer gallery, 2006, then private collection, Queensland.

Aboriginal Totemic Shield from Nepabunna, South Australia: Carved Wildlife

Australian Aboriginal Totemic shield, Nepabunna, South Australian, of boat form, decorated with carved frogs, goanna and snakes, length 38 cm

Central Desert Aboriginal Shield with Incised Line and Cross Hatching

Australian Aboriginal shield, central Desert, of curved oval form, with incised line and cross hatching to the body, length 56 cm. Provenance: Leonard Joel, then private collection, Queensland.

Aboriginal shield with goanna and snake motifs in red

Australian Aboriginal shield, of narrow leaf form, painted with goanna and snake motifs, in tones of red, black and white, length 97 cm

Mowanjun Aboriginal Shield from Kimberley, Western Australia, Geometric Decorations

Large Australian Aboriginal shield, Mowanjun, Kimberley area, Western Australian, in cottonwood, of curved oval form, incised with geometric and circle decorations, length 90 cm

Queensland Aboriginal Shield with Wavy Decoration, Hardwood, 64cm

Early Australian Aboriginal shield, Queensland, in hardwood, of thick curved oval form, with incised wavy decoration, evidence of ochre, length 64 cm

Large Australian Aboriginal Shield with Zig Zag and Line Motifs

Large Australian Aboriginal shield, Warburton, Western Australian, of wide oval form, incised with zig zag and line motifs to front and adze cut verso, length 80 cm. Provenance: primitive Art 4 ever, then private collection, Queensland.

Pilbara Aboriginal Shield with Zig Zag Motifs, Queensland Collection

Good Australian Aboriginal shield, Pilbara, Western Australia, of curved oval form, incised with fine panels of zig za collection, Queensland.g motifs to the front and lines verso, length76 cm. Provenance: mark Pinto, 2006, then private

Unknown Aboriginal Artist - Wunda Shield, Early to Mid 20th Century

Aboriginal artists unknown, Wunda shield, circa early to mid 20th century hardwood with traditional fluting verso, and alternating bands carved to the front. 77 x 12 cm Provenance: Collected Meekathara WA 1960s

Aboriginal Shield from North-West Western Australia, early 20th century

Australian Aboriginal shield (North-West Western Australia), early 20th century natural earth pigments on carved and incised hardwood (interlocking key designs). Length 70 cm. Provenance: Executed in the north-west of Western Australia in the early 20th…

Aboriginal Wunda Shield from North-West Western Australia, Early 20th Century

Australian Aboriginal Wunda shield (North-West Western Australia), early 20th century natural earth pigments on carved and incised hardwood. Square ends. Length 86 cm. Provenance: Executed in the north-west of Western Australia in the early 20th century;…

Aboriginal Shield from North-West Western Australia, Early 20th Century

Australian Aboriginal shield (North-West Western Australia), early 20th century natural earth pigments on carved and incised hardwood. Length 68 cm. Provenance: Executed in the north-west of Western Australia in the mid 20th century; estate of Mr Gary…

Aboriginal Parrying Shield from North-West Western Australia, 20th Century

Australian Aboriginal parrying shield (North-West Western Australia), early 20th century natural earth pigments on carved and incised hardwood. Length 79 cm. Provenance: Executed in Central Australia in the mid 20th century; estate of Mr Gary Bradley,…

'Early Wunda Shield' Aboriginal Art c1900, Hardwood, Zigzag Carving

Aboriginal artist unknown, 'Early Wunda Shield' c1900, Hardwood with traditional fine fluting lengthwise verso, and zigzag carving on the front. With wear from use., '?, 65 x 16.5 cm

South Australian Aboriginal Shield with Wave and Line Decoration

Australian Aboriginal shield, South Australian, in mulga, of narrow curved oval form, incised with wave and line decoration to each side, length 75 cm. Provenance: tribal ancient, then private collection, Queensland

Aboriginal Shield with Line and Dot Work, 72 cm Length

Australian Aboriginal shield, of elongated oval form, incised with line and dot work to both sides, length 72 cm

Australian Aboriginal Wunda Style Parrying Shield from Western Australia

Australian Aboriginal wunda style parrying shield, Western Australia, of elongated oval form, incised with panels of line decoration, evidence of ochre, length 85 cm. Provenance: Minjama, 2006, then private collection, Queensland

Aboriginal Shield with Zig Zag and Circle Motifs, Western Australia

Australian Aboriginal shield, Western Australian, of leaf form, incised with zig zag and circle motifs to the front, length 74 cm. Provenance: Leonard Joel, 2005, then private collection, Queensland

Aboriginal Wunda/Le Grange Shield, Western Australia

Australian Aboriginal hybrid Wunda/Le Grange shield, Western Australia, of narrow leaf form, the front incised with wave decoration, accented with white and red panels of natural pigment, the verso incised with key pattern, length 82 cm. Provenance: Jon…

Central Australian Beanwood Shield with Natural Pigment Decoration, 60cm

Central Australian Beanwood shield, of oval form decorated with natural pigments of white, ochre and brown, the back with curved and slightly folded sides and lug handle, wear to sides and handle, hold to side, length 60 cm. Provenance: Keith Hofmaier…

19th Century Australian Aboriginal Wunda Shield, Western Australia, Provenance Queensland

Good 19th century Australian Aboriginal Wunda shield, Western Australia, of wide oval form, finely incised and painted motifs, length 61 cm. Provenance: J & A Staussehrd, then private collection, Queensland

Aboriginal Wunda Shield with Grooved Line and Zig Zag Motifs

Australian Aboriginal Wunda shield, Western Australian, of elongated oval form, beautifully decorated with grooved line and zig zag motifs in ochre tones, a/f, length 89 cm

Aboriginal Wunda Shield with Zig Zag Motifs, Western Australia

Australian Aboriginal Wunda shield, Western Australian, of wide oval form, finely incised with grooved zig zag motifs to the front and line work verso, length 78 cm. Provenance: mark Pinto, then private collection Queensland

Aboriginal Hardwood Shield with Incised Wave Motifs, Queensland Collection

Australian Aboriginal hardwood shield, of oval form, with incised line and wave motifs to both sides, cross hatched handle, length 63 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Queensland

Central Australian Beanwood Shield

Central Australian Beanwood shield, of oval form, decorated with natural pigments of black, ochre and white, to front and back, curved sides and lug handle to back, length 67 cm. Provenance: Keith Hofmaier collection (collector and author) gathered during…

Aboriginal Wunda Shield with Zig Zag Pattern, Western Australia

Australian Aboriginal Wunda shield, Western Australia, in hardwood, of elongated oval form, the front incised and coloured with zig zag pattern, slight repair to handle, length 75 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Queensland

19th Century Aboriginal Wunda Shield from Western Australia, Provenance Available

19th century Australian Aboriginal wunda shield, Western Australia, of narrow oval form, with grooved sides and diagonal patterning to centre and line work verso, a/f, length 70 cm. Provenance: Francesco Villicich, 2006, then private collection, Queensland

Elongated Zigzag Pattern Aboriginal Shield, Early 1900s

Aboriginal shield, early 1900s Wunda shield (hardwood) with front incised with variant elongated zigzag patter and coated in alternating thick bands of red and white ochre. Reverse carved with same elongated zigzag pattern. Has extensive damage to sides…

Pair of Early Carved Wunda Shields from Western Australia

Two early carved wunda shields, Western Australia, the largest 80 cm long

Aboriginal Shield: 1970s Artwork from Central Australia

Australian Aboriginal painted and decorated shield, 1970s, synthetic polymer paint and natural pigments on carved and incised softwood. Five roundels, length 66 cm, other notes: Executed in Central Australia in the 1970s. Provenance: Estate of Mr Gary…

Aboriginal Shield: 1970s Painted Roundel Design, Central Australia

Australian Aboriginal painted and decorated shield, 1970s, synthetic polymer paint and natural pigments on carved and incised softwood. Roundel designs, length 77 cm, other notes: Executed in Central Australia in the 1970s. Provenance: Estate of Mr Gary…

Aboriginal Parrying Shield: NW WA, Early 20th Century

Australian Aboriginal parrying shield (North-West Western Australia) early 20th century, natural earth pigments on carved and incised hardwood, 74 cm long, other notes: Executed in the north-west of Western Australia in the early 20th century. Provenance:…

North-West Australian Wunda Shield: Early 20th Century Carved Art

Large Wunda shield (North-West Western Australia) early 20th century, natural earth pigments on carved and incised hardwood, length 84 cm, other notes: Executed in the north-west of Western Australia in the early 20th century. Provenance: Estate of Mr…

Pokerwork Fauna: Aboriginal La Perouse Beanwood Shield

Aboriginal La Perouse Beanwood shield., carved wood, 50 cm long, with pokerwork decoration of Australian fauna

Aboriginal Shield: Early 20th Century Central Australia

Aboriginal old shield, early 20th century, natural earth pigments on carved and incised hardwood (evidence of old use), length 55 cm, other notes: Executed in Central Australia in the early 20th century. Provenance: Estate of Mr Gary Bradley, Victoria;…

Ochre-Stained Zig-Zag Wunda Shield: 19th Century Carved Wood

Western Australian Wunda shield. With ochre stained zig-zag grooves, 19th or early 20th century, carved wood, length 70 cm

Aboriginal Snake Shield, 1970s

Australian Aboriginal painted and decorated shield, 1970s, synthetic polymer paint and natural pigments on carved and incised softwood. Snake designs, length 67 cm, other notes: Executed in Central Australia in the 1970s. Provenance: Estate of Mr Gary…

Aboriginal Shield: Wallaby Designs, 1970s

Australian Aboriginal shield, 1970s, synthetic polymer paint and earth pigments on carved and incised wood. Black, yellow and white pigments - wallaby designs, length 63 cm, other notes: Executed in Central Australia in the 1970s. Provenance: Estate of Mr…

Aboriginal Shield: 1970s Painted and Decorated Collection

Australian Aboriginal painted and decorated shield, 1970s, synthetic polymer paint and natural pigments on carved and incised softwood. Black, red, yellow and white pigments - designs, length 63 cm, Provenance: Executed in Central Australia in the 1970s;…

Convict Love Tokens: Copper Tokens from 18th Century Prisoners

Two convict love tokens, copper, late 18th century, both coins smoothed, the larger engraved with decorative initials and a motto: 'when this you see * remember me' 1772, and to the reverse, a ribbon and floral decorated shield enclosing the initials,…

Kimberley Aboriginal Shield: Elongated Oval Form with Incised Diagonal Lines

Early Australian Aboriginal shield, Kimberley Region, Western Australia, of elongated oval form, the front incised with central diagonal lines flanked by parallel lines, in tones of red and white, with fluted exterior, length 63.5 cm

Large West Australian Hardwood Shield with Intricate Geometric Design

A very fine, large, West Australian hardwood shield likely early 1900's, the front decorated with panels of diagonal lines separated by horizontal bands. The reverse with areas of vertical lines and horizontal bands. 83 x 14 cm

Yalata Zig Zag: Mid 1900's Aboriginal Wunda Shield

South Australian Western Desert Variant Wunda shield from the Yalata region, in minnarritchi wood, the front incised in the usual zig zag fashion, the reverse in horizontal bands. Mid 1900's. 69 x 19 cm

Carved Kimberley Shield with Earth Pigments

A Wunda shield - early to mid 20th century Kimberley shield, in carved and fluted hardwood and natural earth pigments to front and back. 77 x 20 cm

Kimberley Wunda Shield: Carved Hardwood with Earth Pigments

A Wunda shield - early to mid 20th century Kimberley shield, in carved and fluted hardwood and natural earth pigments to front and back. 70 x 17 cm

Kimberley La Grange Shield with Custom Stand

A Kimberley La Grange shield, the front having an adzed linear design and the reverse carved in traditional interlocking designs. With a deep inset handle. Early 1900's. A custom metal stand included. 78 x 12 cm.

Central Australian Beanwood Shield with Tribal Patina

Central Australian Beanwood shield., Fluting to both sides. The front having faded black bands and circular motifs. The handles bears good patina from tribal use. This shield was de-accessioned from the Zanesfield Museum, Ohio, USA. Early 1900's. With a…

Mid-West Wunda Shield with Incised Ochre Pattern

Wunda shield, a good example from the Pilbara or the mid-west. Red and white ochre painted incised pattern to the front. The reverse carved with vertical flutes and horizontal bands. Late 1800's. With a custom metal stand. 67 x 17 cm

Fluted Wunda Shield from Western Australia

Large Wunda shield, Western Australia. Carved and engraved hardwood and natural pigment. This wunda shield is elongated ovoid form, the front decorated with fluted linear designs divided into five sections to form a zig-zag motif infilled alternately with…

Engraved Hardwood Shield with Cane Handle

Broad shield, Western District, Victoria. Carved and engraved hardwood with cane handle. Approx length 43 x 14 cm. Provenance: Collected 1920's. Jack Byham, Cobram, Victoria. Private Collection, South Australia.

Yalata Shield with Linear Lozenge Motifs

Fine large narrow shield, Yalata, South Australia. Carved and engraved hardwood. With convex front and triangular section, the front decorated with incised linear lozenge motifs separated by an incised cross band at the centre, the reverse undecorated…

Fluted Wunda Shield from Western Australia

Superb Wunda shield, Western Australia. Carved and engraved hardwood and natural pigment. This wunda shield is elongated ovoid form, the front decorated with fluted linear designs divided into three sections to form a zig-zag motif infilled alternately…

Large Wunda Shield, Western Australia

Early large Wunda shield, Western Australia. Carved and engraved wood and natural pigments. Of elongated ovoid form, the front with deeply engraved broad bands divided into three sections to form a zig-zag motif, infilled alternately with red and white…

Early Incised Parrying Shield from New South Wales

Early incised parrying shield, Murrumbidgee / Lachlan River Region, New South Wales. Carved and engraved hardwood. Of slender elongated form, tapering at either end, a pierced lug handle at the back, with deeply incised geometric designs on the front.…

Early Incised Parrying Shield from NSW

Superb early incised parrying shield, lower Murray River Region, New South Wales. Carved and engraved hardwood and natural pigment. Early nineteenth century. Parrying shield of bi-convex section and elongated triangular profile, with solid cut handle,…

Early Incised Shield from South East Australia

Fine early incised narrow shield, South East Australia. Carved and engraved hardwood. Carved in hardwood of lozenge section, the front intricately engraved with zig-zag and meandering linear motifs, the reverse undecorated with deep-cut lug handle, old…

Aboriginal Parrying Shield from Central NSW

Australian Aboriginal parrying shield, central NSW, of elongated oval form and pigment finish, rich old patina, length 54 cm. Provenance: Private Collection NSW

Aboriginal Parrying Shield with Key Pattern

Australian Aboriginal parrying shield, Western Australia, of elongated oval form, with a deep incised key pattern, length 81 cm. Provenance: Minjama, 2006, then private collection, Queensland

Aboriginal Wunda Shield with Line Work Panels

Australian Aboriginal Wunda shield, Western Australia, of oval form, incised with three panels of line work at differing angles, length 61 cm. Provenance: Leonard Joel, then private collection, Queensland

Aboriginal Beanwood Shield with Striped Decoration

Australian Aboriginal Beanwood shield, Central Australia, in natural pigments, with striped decoration in tones of brown, white and black, fluted to the other side, length 72 cm

Beanwood Aboriginal Shield, Central Desert, Fluted Interior

Early Australian Aboriginal shield, central Desert, in beanwood, of oval form, good patina to exterior, fluting to interior, length 67.5 cm

Wunda Shield with Zig-Zag Motif

Early Wicker Shield from Solomon Islands

Superb early wicker shield, new Georgia Island, Solomon Islands. Woven natural fibre and natural pigment. Shield of coiled rattan twined with vine-strip, long with pointed ends, with geometric designs in black strip down the centre, length 77.5 x 18.5 cm.…