Fine early shield, Central Australia, Northern Territory. Carved beanwood and natural pigments. An oval shield made from a single piece of softwood (red bean tree) with rounded ends. The entire surface has longitudinal fluting of parallel lines and is coated with red ochre on both surfaces. The handle is cut out of the reverse side. Approx length 70.5 x 19 cm. Provenance: Ex Leo Fleischmann collection Lf/F39, Sydney. Private Collection, New South Wales.