Shield

Sumatran, Batak

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 380

Sumatran peoples crafted shields for war and for ritual dance from a variety of local materials, including coiled and woven cane, as seen in the two shields here (acc. nos. 36.25.602, .620). Their surfaces feature geometric decorations that incporporate star-shaped brass mounts. Common to shields from Suamtra, the motif is thought to represent the seven stars of Ursa Major, also known as the Big Dipper.

Shield, Cane, brass, iron, Sumatran, Batak

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Overall

Shield, Cane, brass, iron, Sumatran, Batak
Shield, Cane, brass, iron, Sumatran, Batak

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