Bouclier, Groupe Mengen, Baie de Jacquinot, Papouasie Nouvele-Guinée

Collection privée

Very good condition overall. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture: some small cracks; some losses to the woven fibre around the edge of the shield. A few areas of loss to the polychromy, as visible in the catalogue illustration.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Comme les boucliers Sulka, les anciens boucliers des Mengen sont rares - les différents groupes de Nouvelle-Bretagne s'étant vus interdire leurs expéditions guerrières par les missionnaires allemands. Ils se caractérisent, comme ici, par la richesse de leur décor peint ornant chaque face, et par les deux visages humains stylisés s'étirant de part et d'autre de la protubérance médiane. Le décor complexe de motifs champlevés, teintés de pigments ocre rouge et noirs et rehaussés de chaux blanche, est mis en valeur par les registres de joncs tressés, teints en rouge.

cf. Sotheby's (Paris, 8 juin 2007, n° 202) pour le bouclier Mengen collecté par Ferdinand Hefele entre 1908 et 1909.