ABORIGINAL LAGRANGE SHIELD
LAGRANGE BAY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, LATE 19TH CENTURY
African & Oceanic Art, Natural History and Ancient Art
Auction: 30 July 2025 from 14:00 BST
Description
carved and etched wood, of slender oblong form, with integral handle to the rear and finely incised with a square meandering pattern of diagonal grooves, raised on a bespoke mount
Dimensions
84cm high
Provenance
Native Auctions, Brussels, 26th January 2019, lot 101
Footnote
Lagrange shields, originating from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, are traditionally crafted from wood and have a distinctive narrow, elongated shape. These shields are often decorated with intricate engraved designs, including parallel grooves, zigzags, and geometric patterns, which hold cultural significance and may represent clan identity or Dreamtime stories.