Shield (kaisikuakua type)

Sculptors from the Trobriand Islands were prolific carvers, covering the surface of almost every conceivable object with their distinctive abstract and semi-abstract designs. War shields, however, seem to have defied their touch for these designs are painted, not carved. The imagery used on this shield appears to be based upon a view of a man and woman about to begin sexual intercourse. In the Massim region, imagery is built upon images, and the simple and obvious become more profound and obscure when interpreted by a traditionally educated person from this area. Very few of the surviving war shields appear to have been damaged in battle, for there are no arrow holes or slash marks visible. Trobriand war wizards are known to have charmed these shields to protect them from harm.