Forensic Fashion
(c) 2006-present R. Macaraeg

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>Costume Studies
>>1927 Trobriand kumatola
>>>shield
Subjectkumatola warrior chief
Culture: Trobriand Islander / Massim
Setting: Trobriand Islands late 19th - mid 20th c
Object: shields = kuilumuju, vai ova, kaisikuakua
Museum of Fine Arts > Arts of Oceania *
"Shield   Papua New Guinea (Trobriand Islands)  20th century  Wood and pigment
The art of the Trobriand Islands is mostly two-dimensional, with painted or carved designs often covering an object's entire surface.
  The patterns on all Trobriand shields are similar and have specific meanings.  Here, the small pronged forms are stars, the heads on the sides at top are fish, and the scrollwork motifs at bottom center represent the heads and beaks of frigate birds.
  Curving bands beside the birds symbolize rainbows.  The large, T-shaped design in the top center represents a turtle-shell spatula that was an important trade item.  Together, these symbols are believed to ward off evil, reinforcing the protective function of the shield." ...

​* Tropenmuseum Amsterdam > Nieuw-Guinea
"Schilden  Hout, verf, rotan.  Trobriandeilanden, New Britain, Frencheilanden,
Papoea-Nieuw-Guinea.  Eind 19de - begin 20ste eew.
"Shields  Wood, paint, cane.  Trobriand Islands, New Britain, French Islands,
Papua New Guinea.  Late 19th - early 20th century." ...