Gbilija shields, remarked for their stark backgrounds and imposing proportions, are the largest and least ornamented of the three Zande shield types (Baur and Elsen 2002: 175). The shield at hand typifies the austere grandeur of this class of shields, bearing striking geometric designs and beautifully contrasting colors. Not merely a fine example of Zande material culture, this shield would make a handsome element of interior design. Vide Baur and Elsen (2002: 180–5) for similar examples.

REFERENCES

Baur, Ivan, and Jan Elsen. Guba: Boucliers Tressés Du Bassin Du Congo = Wicker Shields

of the Congo Basin = Flechtschilde Aus Den Congobekken = Gevlochten Schilden

Van Het Kongobekken. Translated by Anita Chaberman et al. Vol. 1. 2 vols. Brussels:

Tribal Arts, 2002.