Magnificent panel, Asmat from Papua - Papua New Guinea

Description provided by the seller
Here is an original Asmat shield, also called jamasi, originating from the West Papua region of Indonesia. Its dimensions are 167 x 45 cm.
These traditional wooden shields were made by the Asmat people for use in combat and to protect against enemy arrows and spears.
They are often crowned with an ancestral statuette representing a deceased family member, which gives the warrior strength and courage during battles.
The shields are richly decorated with elaborate carved motifs and natural pigments (such as red, white and black), symbolizing the ancestral and the martial.
Beyond their functional use in the past, these pieces are today highly appreciated as