Tukwaukwau Village, Kiriwina Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

A charming little Massim lime spatula. Carved from dark ebony wood, the terminal decorated in classic abstract motif. Well used as can be seen from the encrustations of buai mix on the spatula’s end. There is a native repair to the terminal using bush resin. In fine condition. Presented on a custom made display stand.

Height (not including Stand): 12 cm or 4.755 inches.
Price: SOLD

Malaita Island, Solomon Islands, Melanesia.

A fine Malaita Island comb. Constructed of spliced dark palm wood bound together with bindings of plaited orchid and coconut palm fibres, dyed using vegetal dyes. Usually worn by men. In excellent condition.
Height: 18 cm or 7 inches.
Price: SOLD

Admrialty Islands, Papua New Guinea

A beautiful old Admiralty Islands hair comb. Finely cut bamboo teeth bound together; the upper handle section being covered in paste made from Parinarium nuts, coloured using vegetal dyes. The two cross struts are bound to the teeth using bark fibre. Usually worn by men. In excellent condition.

Height: 24 cm or 9.5 inches.
Price: SOLD

Marind-Anim People, Southern New Guinea

A pair of old and rare Marind-Anim ceremonial arm adornments. Hollowed out hard wood bands with applied yellow ochres, and resin set jobes tears and abrus seed attachments. Weatherd patina with some loss of the seed attachments.
Average Dimensions: 12 x 11 cm or 4.75 x 4.5 inches.
Price: SOLD

Turubu Area, Papua New Guinea

These unique masks represent spirits, and are associated with the yam harvest ceremonies as well as being consulted on such issues as warfare or hunting. Well carved from light hard wood with a long classic “mosquito” nose and decorated with natural pigments. Pierced on the top and sides to suspend. Weathered patina with a fine native repair on the nose; in excellent condition. Circa 1960′s.

Height: 57 cm or22.5 inches.
Price: SOLD

Biwat People, Yuat River, Papua New Guinea.

A nice example of this style of mask. Originally attached to a sacred flute; a ceremonial object constructed from sections of bamboo. These flutes are an important part of mens initiaion ceremonies and are traditionally banned from being viewed by women. Important flutes had masks like this one attatched to them. This mask is carved from hard light wood and decorated with natural pigments. Bearing a large pierced septum, and holes on the top and bottom to be attached to the flute. Weathered patina in excellent condition. Circa: 1960′s.
Ex Howarth Collection (CH105)

Height: 29 cm or 11.5 inches.
Price: SOLD

Highlands Region, Papua New Guinea.

An old Highlands war club. Carved from hard wood with a “pineapple” shaped distal end. Deep glossy handling patina with old loss to one of the ridges; in great condition.

Height: 93 cm or 36.5 inches
Price: $750.00 AUD

Karabie Village, Mendi Valley, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea.

This wonderful old Highlands war shield is carved from hard wood, in ovoid form with a raised medial ridge. On the top section there are “pecked” motifs running above the red and white “zig zag” designs. Painted using natural ochres, with a rope handle on the reverse. On the top left corner and the right hole where the handle attaches are two arrow heads embedded in the shield. The back showing deep adze carving and good age. Weathered patina with a native repair on the top in fine condition. Circa: Early to mid 20th Century.

Height: 132 cm or 52 inches.
Price: SOLD

Warburton Ranges, Western Australia.

An old Aboriginal spear thrower “woomera”. Carved from hard wood in elongated spatulate form. On the front side run deep fluted grooves terminating in incised “cross-hatched” motifs above the spinifex resin handle and below the remnant spinifex resin that would have once held the peg. Old glossy patina, in excellent condition. Collected in the Warburton Ranges in the 1930′s. Formerly part of a private South Australian collection. On the front side are two small holes, used by a previous owner for display purposes.

Height: 76 cm or 30 inches.
Price: SOLD

Warburton Ranges, Western Australia

An old Aboriginal fighting club. Carved from hard wood in tapering form, the curved, bulbous distal end with finely incised cross-hatched motifs. Collected in the Warburton Ranges in the 1930′s. Deep warm old patina, in fine condition. Formerly part of a South Australian private collection.

Height: 65 cm or 25.5 inches.
Price: Sold