Shield
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.
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