Shield (parrying)

This is a parrying shield. A column of alternating diamond and oval motifs descends down the face of the shield in the middle. The motifs are engraved and ochred, making them stand out from the diagonal etched lines that are filled with white pipe-clay on the rest of the face. According to Museum Victoria records, this shield was 'taken in a fight between the Native Police and the Avoca Tribe at Creswick's Waterhole' in central Victoria in July 1847. The 'Native Police Corps' was in service throughout Victoria from 1842 to 1849. The local language name for this type of shield was Malka. The 'Avoca tribe' referred to is one of the clans of the Dja dja Wurrung people of central Victoria.This type of shield is narrow and is carved out of one piece of solid wood, including the handle. They were used to deflect spears, and in close combat to parry blows from wooden clubs. They were made from ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon) as the preferred wood but mainly from box (Eucalyptus leucoxylon). Other types of wood that would be used were hard woods such as gum and peppermint. Wattle tree was not often used to make weapons. 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. These shields are known by Aboriginal names such as Mulga, Murgon, Marr-aga and Kullak.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. Shields from Victoria are a feature in Bunjilaka at Melbourne Museum.