Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

Philippines Igorot Carved Wood Head Hunters Shield

$340
$42520% Off
£256.06
£320.0720% Off
€299.18
€373.9820% Off
CA$481.72
CA$602.1520% Off
A$483.86
A$604.8320% Off
CHF 280.56
CHF 350.7020% Off
MX$5,903.62
MX$7,379.5320% Off
NOK 3,246.84
NOK 4,058.5620% Off
SEK 3,331.43
SEK 4,164.2920% Off
DKK 2,236.51
DKK 2,795.6420% Off

About the Item

This is a Kalinga shield that is used by warriors who are headhunters from the Northern mountainous region of the Philippines. Art meets utility in this shield which has three prongs at the top top and two prongs on the bottom. Shields have a very important use in Kalinga and Igorot culture as a whole and include many cultural motifs. important to Kalinga culture. This shield shows some signs of use, and there are some scratches to the finish. It is possible that it was used. The prong formation of the shield was useful in battle and symbolic in meaning. In battle, it was thought that Igorot warriors would use the top prongs to disable their enemies by tripping them, then using the bottom two prongs to immobilize their heads, according to research by the University of Michigan. . This goes along with the Igorot reputation of being “headhunters,” in which they would collect the heads of their enemies for display when in battle. When held upright, the shield looks like a rough depiction of a human, with the two bottom prongs appearing to look like legs, while the three top prongs look like a head with raised arms. Fascinating piece.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 36 in (91.44 cm)Width: 12.5 in (31.75 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
  • Style:
    Primitive (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1960s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
  • Seller Location:
    Lomita, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU6651242043752

More From This Seller

View All
Signed Wayang Kulit Painting from Indonesia on Rich Palette

Signed Wayang Kulit Painting from Indonesia on Rich Palette

Located in Lomita, CA

This is a "remarkable" Indonesian Wayang Kulit painting. The color pallette is fantastic on a deep blue background with touches of beige, green and deep b...

Category

Mid-20th Century Indonesian Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Silk, Bamboo

Theater of Shadows Indo-Filipino Batik Shadow Puppets Painting Signed Ayu

Theater of Shadows Indo-Filipino Batik Shadow Puppets Painting Signed Ayu

Located in Lomita, CA

Theater of Shadows Signed by Ayu, this richly detailed batik painting evokes the ceremonial beauty of Southeast Asia’s Wayang Kulit shadow puppetry. Two stylized figures—one regal an...

Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Bamboo, Textile

19th Century Hand-Carved Mahogany Chinese Export Humidor

19th Century Hand-Carved Mahogany Chinese Export Humidor

Located in Lomita, CA

A "remarkable" hand carved mahogany humidor box according to the appraiser has detailed carving of junk boats and temples, and recalls Victoria Harbor ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cigar Boxes and Humidors

Materials

Mahogany

Hand-Carved Chi Wara Style Floor Lamp in Patinated Wood and Natural Fiber

Hand-Carved Chi Wara Style Floor Lamp in Patinated Wood and Natural Fiber

By Chi Wara Mali

Located in Lomita, CA

Hand-Carved Chi Wara Style Floor Lamp in Patinated Wood and Natural Fiber This striking sculptural floor lamp is the very definition of statement lighting. It features a hand-carved...

Category

Late 20th Century Organic Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Raffia, Wood

19th Century Collectible Maple or Walnut Hand-Carved Table with Scalloped Rim

19th Century Collectible Maple or Walnut Hand-Carved Table with Scalloped Rim

Located in Lomita, CA

The absolute attraction of this table is the intricate carving on the top, which includes a centerpiece portrait of a gentleman wearing a period hat, and his image is surrounded by h...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Side Tables

Materials

Maple, Walnut

Japonisme Burnt Bamboo Side Table with Leather Wrapped Top and Hidden Drawer

Japonisme Burnt Bamboo Side Table with Leather Wrapped Top and Hidden Drawer

Located in Lomita, CA

This is an unusual sculptural burnt bamboo side table featuring an inset leather-wrapped top with rolled ends, a hidden storage drawer fitted with a cast bronze ring pull, and richly...

Category

Early 20th Century American Japonisme Furniture

Materials

Leather, Bamboo

You May Also Like

Hand Carved Wood Indian Chief Sculpture

Hand Carved Wood Indian Chief Sculpture

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Early 20thc hand carved wooden Indian chiefs plaque. This is so amazing and three dimensional at the same time.

Category

Early 20th Century American Adirondack Native American Objects

Materials

Wood

Indonesian Contemporary Wood Carved Sinta Mask Wall Decor

Indonesian Contemporary Wood Carved Sinta Mask Wall Decor

Located in Queens, NY

Indonesian Mid-Century hand carved wooden mask in the likeness of Rama / Sinta with a 2-pronged and tiered crown (See Matching NWL7127A)

Category

20th Century Unknown Other Sculptures and Carvings

Papua New Guinea Carved-Wood Lumi Shield on Custom Iron Stand

Papua New Guinea Carved-Wood Lumi Shield on Custom Iron Stand

Located in Atlanta, GA

A Papua New Guinea carved-wood Lumi shield from the mid-20th century. This vintage war shield from the West Sepik region, the northwestern most province of...

Category

Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Iron

Large Indonesian Hand Carved Batak Singa Singa Tribal Carving from Sumatra

Large Indonesian Hand Carved Batak Singa Singa Tribal Carving from Sumatra

Located in Yonkers, NY

An antique hand carved tribal 19th century sculpture from the Batak People, northern Sumatra, called a Singa Singa. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the Batak People with this antique hand carved tribal 19th century sculpture from northern Sumatra, known as a Singa Singa. This work of art showcases the intricate craftsmanship and unique artistic traditions of the Batak People, making it a captivating addition to any collection. Originating from the Batak People of northern Sumatra, this 19th century Singa Singa sculpture is a testament to the region's artistic prowess. Hand carved, the sculpture features a striking design that captures the essence of the mythical Singa Singa creature, a symbol of protection and strength in Batak culture. Crafted from solid wood, this antique Singa Singa sculpture boasts a beautifully aged patina that highlights the carvings and adds a sense of depth and history to the piece. The masterful artistry and skillful execution of the design make it a captivating and rare example of Batak tribal art. Display this magnificent 19th century Batak Singa...

Category

Antique 19th Century Indonesian Tribal Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Large Asmat Carved Wood Shield, Papua New Guinea, 1970s

Large Asmat Carved Wood Shield, Papua New Guinea, 1970s

Located in Wien, AT

Impressive hand carved wooden shield by the Asmat people of Papua New Guinea, featuring bold symmetrical motifs and traces of original white and dark pigment. The elongated form is crowned by a stylized ancestral figure, giving the piece a strong sculptural and ceremonial presence. Asmat shields...

Category

Vintage 1970s Papua New Guinean Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Large Hand Carved Singa Singa Tribal Carving from the Batak People, Sumatra

Large Hand Carved Singa Singa Tribal Carving from the Batak People, Sumatra

Located in Yonkers, NY

A large antique hand carved tribal sculpture from the Batak People, northern Sumatra, called a Singa Singa. Behold the striking allure of this large antique hand-carved Singa Singa, ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Indonesian Tribal Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood