Kiriwina Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

An impressive Massim Splashboard. Intricately carved from heavy dense wood; the front side heavily decorated in classic scrolling abstract motif; a solitary figure standing at the centre. Heavily weathered from time at sea, in great condition. Circa mid 20th Century. Mounted on a steel display stand.

Dimensions (not including stand) : 34 cm or 13.5 inches.
Price:Sold

Mt Hagen Area, Western Highlands, Papua New Guinea

An old Western Highlands war shield. Deep convex form, the frontside bearing everybodys favourite character “The Phantom” applied in natural pigments. Cane fringing adorns the top, the reverse still exhibiting its original bush rope and woven cane handles. In excellent condition.

Dimensions: 137 x 51 cm or 54 x 20 inches.
Price: Sold

North Coast, East Sepik Papua New Guinea

A Coastal Boiken dance mask. Beautifully carved from hard wood, the projecting nose extending just past the bottom of the chin. Wonderful wear from extensive use, particularly on the square cut holes where the mask would have been attached. The pigment decoration still vibrant giving this mask a fantastic presence. Minor loss to the left eye caused by hungry rodents. In wonderful condition. Circa mid 20th Century. Mounted on a steel display stand.

Ex Howarth Collection.
Height: 42 cm or 16.5 inches.
Price: Sold

Ulupu Village, Maprik Area, Papua New Guinea

An old and extremely well used Abelam Buai mortar. Carved from hard wood, the front and rear surfaces covered in incised curvilinear motif; with pigment infill. Deep glossy patina from extensive use; the inside of the bowl nicely betel-stained. In fine condition.

Height: 11 cm or 4.25 inches.
Price: SOLD

Kuanbandu Village, Wosera District, Papua New Guinea.

A fine Wosera bone dagger. Carved from a section of cassowary femur bone, in the style of a birds head. Decorated with incised abstract motif. Worn as an adornment during ceremonies. Deep honey patina from extensive handling. Mounted on a steel display stand. Circa early to mid 20th Century. Length: 19 cm or 7.5 inches
Price: $750.00 AUD

Trobriand Islands, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea.

A fine Massim lime spatula. Carved from ebony with a full figure sitting on the terminal, decorated with classic incised Massim motif, and lime infill. Strung through the feet are a small strand of early red glass trade beads. A wonderful example; nicely betel-stained from use. Circa early to mid 20th Century.

Ex Howarth Collection. Height (not including stand): 34 cm or 13 inches
Price: Sold

Maprik Area, East Sepik, Papua New Guinea.

An ancient Abelam Yua currency disc. Carved from a section of giant clam shell “tridacna gigus”; using a complicated grinding technique involving a sand and bamboo grinder; before being polished for use. Traditionally used as currency in bride price payments throughout the Abelam region. Incised linear motif representing a hornbill beak adorn the top section; with the later addition of red cotton fibre. Mounted on a steel display stand. Circa 19th century or earlier. Diameter: 17 cm or 6.75 inches
Price:SOLD

Woodlark Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea.

A beautifully decorated Massim Chiefs Spatula. A carved section of bone, possibly human otherwise pig; decorated with strands of bagi “spondylus” shell money, banana seed and pearl shell attachments. Only Chiefs or high ranking men are permitted to decorate their spatulas in this fashion. Encrusted patina from extensive use; in fine condition. Mounted on a steel display stand. Circa early 20th Century Height (not including stand): 27 cm or 10.5 inches
Price: SOLD

Yangoru Area, East Sepik, Papua New Guinea.

A fine Yangoru Talipoon bride price. Used throughout this region as a traditional form of currency in bride price payments. A large carved section of turban shell, surmounted by a woven mask. Baked natural pigment decoration with remnant feather attachments. A fantastic example with a real presence. Custom mounted on a steel display stand. Circa early to mid 20th Century. Height (not including stand) : 56 cm or 22 inches
Price: $1100.00 AUD

North Coast, Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea.

An old Coastal Sepik betel nut mortar. Wonderful form with two styalised crocodile head terminals; the outer surface covered in incised motif. Glossy encrusted patina from extensive use; in excellent condition. Circa early 20th Century.

Ex: Peter Hallinan Collection: “H22″ .
Length: 17 cm or 6.5 inches
Price: Sold