Woven Basketry Shield Gbilija
Eastern Zande, D.R. Congo
Wood, rattan, pigment
Early 20th century

The Zande use three types of shields - they all have the generic name Vura, but each type also has its own name. Though their forms share the same characteristics, they are easily recognizable from one another. The first type (seen here), called Gbilija, is the largest and has a dark background with minimal decoration. The second type is called Kube, and is smaller with much more elaborate decoration. The third type is called Kpawangbwada, and has dimensions similar to the Kube, but a much more basic design (Baur & Elsen, Guba: Wicker Shields from the Congo Basin, 2002).

46 in :: 117 cm

InventoryID #13-2255

SOLD