Molluccas Painted Shield

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Some Objects are so fragile or their colours so ephemeral that they have to be shown under controlled conditions or for short periods only. This applies to the painting on this shield probably from Halmahera in the Molluccas, Indonesia. Consultation with experts on Indonesia from Dutch museums indicates that the painting on this Molluccas shield is unique and is thought to have a Spanish or Portuguese influence.

The shield was given to Auckland Museum by the famous Wellcome Collection based in London.
Height; c.1 metre