Shield (broad)

This is a 'broad' shield. The shape of a large lizard, thought to be an iguana, fills the face of the shield. There are incised lines running parallel to the lines of its form and changing into irregular patterns towards the edges. The handle is cut out of the solid wood. This shield comes from the Namoi or Peel River in New South Wales, home of the Kamilaroi people. This type of shield is wide and was generally used to deflect spears. They have handles, either carved from the solid wood or inserted into central holes. They were made from the bark of gum trees; the manna gum tree (Eucalyptus viminalis) was often used. These shields are known by Aboriginal names such as Gee-am, Kerreem and Bam-er-ook. This particular shield was exhibited in the 'Great Australian Art Exhibition' that travelled to the Queensland Art Gallery; the Art Gallery of Western Australia; the Art Gallery of New South Wales; the National Gallery of Victoria; and the Art Gallery of South Australia in the early 1980s. The tools used to build and engrave shields were made from stone and sharp animal teeth such as those of marsupials. Designs were carved and then painted onto the shield face with sticks, echidna quill or hair brushes, or with fingers. Shields like this are evidence of the rich cultural diversity of the Aboriginal peoples of south-eastern Australia. Like other Aboriginal art forms from the region the designs were also important in identifying individuals and clans in combat. The main natural pigments traditionally used by Aboriginal people were charcoal (black), pipe clay (white) and ochres (pale yellow to dark reddish-brown). Red ochre was significant and was an important trade commodity. The paint was made by grinding the substance with a stone implement into powder and then combining it with a liquid.The history of 'ownership' of such objects between leaving the possession of Aboriginal people and becoming part of Museum Victoria collections is diverse and often obscure. Early collectors acquired objects such as these because it was believed that Aboriginal people were 'a dying race'. This belief and the growing interest in ethnography created a roaring trade in Aboriginal objects from the early 19th century onwards.