Cultural History In Focus | “Indonesian Shields” by Steven G. Alpert from “Protection, Power, and Display: Shields of Island Southeast Asia and Melanesia” | Boston College Museum of Art

 

Mentawai Headmen with European Guest | 1892-1922
© Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen | The Netherlands

 
 

Indonesian Shields

 
 

by Steven G. Alpert

 
 
 

Art of the Ancestors would like to extend thanks and appreciation to Andrew Tavarelli, Prof. Emeritus, Dr. Nancy Netzer, Director, McMullen Museum of Art, and Boston College. 

The re-publication of Steven G. Alpert's article from Protection, Power and Display is in tribute to the indefatigable efforts of Bill Evans, and his soon to be published magnum opus, War, Art and Ritual: Shields from the Pacific, that will be an instant classic on this topic.

 

 

Warrior’s Shield | Kelbit / Kelempit / Kliau / Talawang | Borneo
© Dallas Museum of Art | Texas, USA

Warrior’s Shield (Front) | Koraibi | Mentawai
© Dallas Museum of Art | Texas, USA

Warrior’s Shield (Back) | Koraibi | Mentawai
© Dallas Museum of Art | Texas, USA

Warrior’s Shield | Borneo
© Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen | The Netherlands

 

Warrior’s Shield | Koraibi | Mentawai
© Peabody Essex Museum | Massachusetts, USA

War Shield | Asmat
© Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen | The Netherlands

Shield | Wetar | Maluku
© Musée du Quai-Branly | France

Ceremonial Funerary Shield
© Dallas Museum of Art | Texas, USA

Ceremonial Funerary Shield
© Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen | The Netherlands

Warrior’s Shield | Borneo
© Yale University Art Gallery | Connecticut, USA

War Shield | Asmat
© Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen | The Netherlands

 

Toraja Funerary Ceremony | Sulawesi
© Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen | The Netherlands

Toraja Warrior | Sulawesi | 1910-1916
© Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen | The Netherlands

Dayak Warrior | Borneo | 1880 - 1920
© Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen | The Netherlands

Dayak Warrior | Borneo | 1900 - 1940
© Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen | The Netherlands

Dayak Warrior | Borneo | 1900 - 1940
© Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen | The Netherlands

Sulawesi | circa 1930
© Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen | The Netherlands

Kutai Dayak Warrior | Borneo | Before 1948
© Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen | The Netherlands

West Papua | 1909 - 1910
© Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen | The Netherlands

Nias Warriors | 1900 - 1925
© Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen | The Netherlands

 

Colophon

Author | Steven G. Alpert
Editing | Andrew Tavarelli
Publication | Boston College Museum of Art
Year | 1995