Nau Shield

This large rectangular shield is typical of Iwan craftsmanship. This group lives along the main course of the Sepik River, primarily in the villages of Oum, Tauri, and Iniyok; in Yemombiat, at the mouth of the May River; and in several villages along the May River, as far upstream as Buremai.
Their shields are relatively narrow and tall. They are characterized by the repetition of geometric patterns and the symmetry of their composition. According to Beran and Craig, these geometric patterns offer an infinite variety of combinations, each symbolizing a plant or animal that serves as a clan emblem.
The flat back is carved with two “handles,” each pierced with two notches, through which straps can be threaded.

____________________________

Beran and Craig Shieds, *Melanesia*, University of Hawaii Press, 2005, pp. 77–79