Rare East Australian Broad Shield

East Australian Broad Shield likely Coranderrk, Victoria
Carved with incised decoration, c. 1880

Object type: Broad Shield

Locality: Victoria

Artist: Unknown

Circa: 1880

Length: 74.5 cm

Description:

South East Australian Aboriginal Broad shields  are markedly scarce, and examples of quality are highly prized by collectors of early Aboriginal material. This rare shield is an elegant and historically resonant work, distinguished by its refined proportions, deep patination, and intricate engraved surface.

Carved in the post-contact era using steel tools—common among Aboriginal artists of Coranderrk Station in the late nineteenth century—the shield’s front is enriched with elaborate incised motifs referencing the Rainbow Serpent, one of the most significant creation beings in south-eastern Aboriginal cosmology. These flowing, abstracted designs reveal both artistic confidence and a conscious assertion of cultural identity during a period of profound upheaval.

The pair of aperture holes at the rear exhibit substantial wear consistent with a bent-wood handle once being firmly secured in place, though the original handle is now absent. Minor insect grazing along the lower edge attests to age while remaining unobtrusive to the shield’s overall visual impact. The surface retains a handsome, darkened patina, characteristic of nineteenth-century south-eastern works that circulated among colonial collectors and Victorian-era visitors.

AUD

Dating to around 1880, this shield aligns closely with pieces produced at Coranderrk for exhibition and sale—a remarkable period in which Aboriginal artists created finely worked objects that expressed both cultural continuity and a sophisticated engagement with new materials and audiences. As such, it stands as a compelling example of Aboriginal artistry rather than an implement forged for conflict, embodying a dignified sense of identity, resilience, and pride.

This is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a rare and expressive East Australian Broad Shield—an object of cultural depth, aesthetic refinement, and considerable historical significance.

Price: $8000 AUD

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