Ceremonial Shield (koka)
- Artist Culture
- Telei artist
- Date
- probably early 20th century
- Material
- Wood, pigment, shell
- associated with
- Bougainville province, Melanesia, Papua New Guinea, Oceania
- Classification
- Sculpture, wood
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 106
- Dimensions
- 20 1/2 x 19 13/16 in. (52 x 50.4 cm)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Morton D. May
- Rights
- Contact Us
- Object Number
- 66:1977
NOTES
The double-headed figure in the center of this shield most likely represents a young man. He wears a painted hat identifying him as a member of an initiatory society. The Telei people of southern Bougainville Island used ritual shields such as this during ceremonies for the initiation of young boys in their transition to adult life. These shields also appeared in the context of wedding ceremonies.
Provenance
- 1973
Everett Rassiga Inc., New York, NY, USA
1973 - 1977
Morton D. May (1914-1983), St. Louis, MO, purchased from Everett Rassiga Inc. [1]
1977 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Morton D. May [2]
Notes:
[1] An invoice dated February 22, 1973 from Everett Rassiga Inc. to Morton D. May documents ths purchase of this object, listed as "3669 Solomon Dance Shield" [May Archives, Saint Louis Art Museum].
[2] A letter dated March 1, 1977 from Morton D. May to James N. Wood, director of the Saint Louis Art Museum, includes the offer of this object as part of a larger donation [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Acquisitions Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, April 14, 1977.
Everett Rassiga Inc., New York, NY, USA
1973 - 1977
Morton D. May (1914-1983), St. Louis, MO, purchased from Everett Rassiga Inc. [1]
1977 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Morton D. May [2]
Notes:
[1] An invoice dated February 22, 1973 from Everett Rassiga Inc. to Morton D. May documents ths purchase of this object, listed as "3669 Solomon Dance Shield" [May Archives, Saint Louis Art Museum].
[2] A letter dated March 1, 1977 from Morton D. May to James N. Wood, director of the Saint Louis Art Museum, includes the offer of this object as part of a larger donation [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Acquisitions Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, April 14, 1977.