Maasai Shield
Tanzania
Buffalo Hide with Pigment
31” height
Provenance:
ex. Private French Collection, Paris
ex. Merton D. Simpson, New York

This item is from the New York gallery collection of Merton D. Simpson, one of the world's most respected dealers of African and tribal art. Merton D. Simpson Gallery of Tribal and Contemporary Art was established in 1954, with galleries in New York and Paris. For nearly 60 years, Merton D. Simpson has been instrumental in helping individuals and institutions worldwide to build comprehensive, culturally significant collections.

At a time when African tribal and Oceanic art was a mystery to most collectors, Merton Simpson was already forging friendships with tribal leaders and establishing business relationships that allowed him access to highly important objects of unquestionable provenance. Now 83, Mr. Simpson is perhaps best known as an African art expert and gallerist, but he is also an accomplished artist in his own right.

He was one of few African-American painters to receive recognition in the 1950s, and his works were included in shows at the Guggenheim and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. His prestigious list of public and private clients ranges from The United Nations (NY), The Menil Collection (Houston), Rockefeller Family Collection (NY) and Helena Rubenstein Collection (NY) to old private collections and museums in Europe. His “eye” is famous, and his expertise is highly respected, not only by numerous museum curators, but also by private collectors around the world. Merton D. Simpson is pleased to offer a selection of hand-chosen museum-quality objects of traditional African art from his gallery in the Nov. 17, 2012 auction hosted by LiveAuctioneers.com.

Excellent
This Maasi Warrior Shield is made of stretched buffalo hide sewn to a wooden frame. The surface of the shield is painted with red, white and black pigments. The colors used on these shields reflect the warrior's rank in Maasai society and are only painted with the permission of the chief. The shield was an acquisition made in Paris over thirty years ago while the second home of the gallery was based there. The first home was the Madison Avenue location in New York where Merton ran the gallery for over forty years.