JUST LOOKING AT IT ELIMINATES CHILD'S SHIELD OR TOURIST ITEM SMALL ENOUGH TO FIT IN A SUITCASE. I THINK THE BONTOK JUST USED THEIR REGULAR SHIELDS FOR DANCING SO SHAMANS SHIELD WOULD FIT. PERHAPS THE FACE REPRESENTED A POWERFUL ANCESTOR AND PROTECTED THE MEDICINE MAN FROM EVIL SPIRITS AS WELL AS SCARING EVIL SPIRITS AWAY FROM THE PATIENTS. THE PATINA AND WEAR WOULD ALSO INDICATE SOMETHING OLD THAT SPENT MOST OF ITS TIME HANGING IN A SMOKY HUT.
HOPEFULLY SOMEONE FAMILIAR WITH SHAMANISM IN THE PHILIPPINES CAN GIVE SOME GOOD INFORMATION ON YOUR INTERESTING ITEM.
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