African Shield Attributed to the African People of Madagascar, Malagasy People

Ceremonial parade shield. Attributed to the African People of Madagascar, Malagasy people. Madagascar is an island located off the southern coast of Africa and bordered by the Indian Ocean and is east of Mozambique. The round wooden shield has extensive carvings on the front with geometric shapes, curved lines, humans, animals and houses, and basically depicts life in a village. There is a hairline crack seen in the photo; the back of the shield has a wide wooden handle. There is a discoloration on the center of the shield. The center of the shield is the sun which is the life force of the village. The shield is hardwood and is a ceremonial parade shield. Notes Antique shields from Madagascar were plain - uncarved - and covered with animal hide. The culture of Madagascar reflects the origin of the Malagasy people in Southeast Asia and East Africa. Traditional arts are based on the creative use of local and natural materials. Wood carving is a highly developed art form, with distinct regional styles evident in the decorations. Sculptors create a variety of furniture and household goods and wooden sculptures, many of which are produced for the tourist market