Description & Technical information

Fly River, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia.
A rare cuirass or body-armour made of plaited cane.

Date:  19/20th century
Period:  1750-1850, 1850-1900, 19th century, 20th century
Origin:  Melanesia
Medium: Woven cane
Dimensions: 42.5 x 36.5 x 29 cm (16³/₄ x 14³/₈ x 11³/₈ inches)
Provenance: Collected in the field prior to 1910. Ex coll. : P.L. collection c. 1910; L.R. Hornshaw (1903-85), eldest son of B.L. Hornshaw, Australia; presented to a subsequent owner by L.R.H. on 14/3/1935. With a paper label stating “Cuirass or corselet, body protector against arrows Fly River New Guinea 1910, Pres. By L.R.H 14.3.35” on one side and “Body protector, Fly River New Guinea from P.L. collection (1910), Pres. By L.R.H. 1935” on the other.
Categories: Arms & armour, Tribal Art