Scarce Nias island Baluse shield

A nice scarce shield from Nias Island, off Sumatra, Indonesia  ‘  Baluse’. Shaped as the outlne of a crocodile, this example is in pretty good condition, carved from a single piece of wood, bound with twisted rattan, or split cane. Front with a large wooden boss to protect the hand, the reverse with an integrally carved grip.  southern asia