Shield
Artist Unidentified
20th century, 1950–2000
Object PlaceDemocratic Republic of the Congo
Medium/TechniqueCane, fiber
DimensionsOverall: 141 x 48 x 18 cm (55 1/2 x 18 7/8 x 7 1/16 in.)
Credit LineGift of Geneviève McMillan in memory of Reba Stewart
Accession number2009.2731
On View
Not on viewClassificationsWarfare, hunting, fishing
Collections
The Ngombe, who produced a great variety of bladed weapons, produced a large number of shields. This shield is typical of Ngombe design and is made of cross-woven reeds, which are framed by a braided reed. The surface of the shield is adorned with simple geometric patterns and handle boards are affixed to the back of the shield.
Provenance1964, sold by the Galerie Lemaire, Brussels, to Geneviève McMillan (b. 1922 - d. 2008), Cambridge, MA; 2008, to the Geneviève McMillan and Reba Stewart Foundation, Cambridge; 2009, gift of the Geneviève McMillan and Reba Stewart Foundation to the MFA. (Accession Date: June 17, 2009)
