Shield (broad)

This is a 'broad' shield. The face of this shield is divided into ten sections both horizontally and vertically. These bands cut into the surface and are decorated by red ochre. The rest of the shield face is filled with wavy lines (in a variety of directions) that are filled in with white pipe clay. Ngarrindjeri is the name of the group of people located on this part of the Lower Murray River in South Australia. The Ngarrindjeri name for the gum tree that was used to make this shield is Binnat and names for this type of shield are Tanamo or Karragarn. 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. 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 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.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.