Roromarauqi parade shield - Lot 83

Roromarauqi parade shield Solomon Islands Archipelago Wood H. 131 cm Provenance - Former Parisian private collection - Sotheby's sale, London, March 26 1990, Tribal Art. Lot 12 Publication: - Winter 2020 catalog, Galerie Monbrison, 2020. Beautiful parade shield called roromaraugi. Carried in the left hand, in front of the body, it was used to ward off arrows and spears in combat, or in dances mimicking combat. It has a sickle-shaped upper section adorned on both sides with a fine median rib. On the handle, above the pommel, is carved a beautiful figure whose features are characteristic of Solomon Islands art. Depicted seated, arms folded at the sides and hands resting on the hips, the figure stands in a hieratic attitude. Highly stylized, it features sensual volumes.