Shield
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Wood, polychromy
Dimensions
H. 40 3/8 in. (102.6 cm); W. 17 1/4 in. (43.8 cm); D. 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm); Wt. 4 lb. 2.1 oz. (1873.9 g)
Classification
Shields
Culture
Philippine, Mindanao
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935
Accession Number
36.25.624
Art Historical Context
This striking wooden shield from 18th–19th Mindanao, in the southern Philippines, exemplifies the martial artistry of indigenous warriors. Carved from wood and adorned with vibrant polychromy—layered pigments that bring intricate patterns to life—it measures an imposing 40 3/8 inches tall weighs just over 4 pounds, making both formidable and maneuverable in battle. Displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Arms and Armor, it entered the collection the 1935 bequest of George C. Stone, a renowned collector of global weaponry. In Mindanao culture, shields like this served as essential defens...