Schouten Islands, East Sepik, Papua New Guinea

An important old Schouten Islands Dance Mask; most likely originating from Vokeo island. Known as “Lewa” these masks represent the ancestor “Tangbwal”. Well carved from hard wood, in classic form with the exaggerated large nose bearing a carved wooden nose-piece. The holes around the outer rim of the mask exhibiting wear from being attached to the dancers costume obviously a number of times. Traces of white lime infill is still visible on the wooden nose ornament. The front of this mask bears a deep glossy patina, while the reverse is dark and encrusted, in truly wonderful condition. Circa early to mid 20th Century. Mounted on a steel display stand.
Height:41 cm or 16 inches.
Price:SOLD

Kiriwina Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

An attractive pair of Massim ceremonial earrings. Constructed from small rings of turtle shell that fit around the ear lobe, with large turtle rings, with bagi shell disc attachments. Most of the binding attaching the bagi shell to the rings is the original bark fibre binding with some later repairs using black cotton. These earrings are still very prized possessions amongst the Massim people of Kiriwina, who usually wear just the small turtle rings, and only wear the bagi shell larger rings at ceremonial occasions. A fantastic and wearable (as long as you have the right piercing) example of primitive jewellery; in excellent condition. Mounted on a steel display stand.

Height: 11.5 cm or 4.5 inches.
Price: Sold

Bangus Village, East Sepik, Papua New Guinea

A Kwoma dance wand in the shape of a birds head known in the Kwoma language as a “Wamboi”. These ceremonial objects are used as a dance wand but also as a handle of a kind of ladle for making sago but attaching a coconut bowl to the bound section at the base. Decorated with raised and incised motif on the stem and traces of “trade” pigments. Weathered and encrusted patina, with a couple of stable age splits in fine condition. Mounted on a steel display stand.

Exhibited in the Melbourne Museum November 2006.

Height: 53 cm or 21 inches.
Price: $950.00 AUD

Fijian Islands

A large and impressive Fijian rootstock war club known as “Vunikau”. Carved from a single piece of tree spcifically chosen for the root structure giving the distal end a more menacing effect from the raised protruberances. While the but end tapers out slightly to give extra grip, and is decorated with incised motif said to represent tattoo designs. The head on this beauty bears a sollem human tooth, a trophy from one of its victims. Beatufilly balanced, with only one true purpose………………….. Deep glossy patina, in excellent condition. Circa mid 19th Century. Mounted on a steel display stand.

Height: 118 cm or 46.5 inches.
Price:SOLD

Boiken People, Turubu Area, Papua New Guinea

An ancient Boiken stone club head; with fantastic sculptural form. Carved from a greenish medium hardness stone with a “Star” shape, the centre tapered to allow it to be fitted tightly on to a wooden handle. The stone has a built up encrusted surface; in excellent condition. A prime example of a primitave weapon. Mounted on a steel display stand.
Exhibited in the Melbourne Museum November 2006.

Diameter: 9 cm or 3.5 inches.
Price: Sold

Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

A wonderful old Massim Drum. Carved in classic form with an elaborate decorative handle, and raised motif on both sides. The motif has a good deal of avian representation amongst it on both the handle and the outer surface of the drum, a popular form of these people. Deep glossy patina from extensive handling over time; with a couple of stable age splits; in great condition. Circa early 20th Century. Mounted on a steel display stand

Length: 98 cm or 38.5 inches.
Price: SOLD

Boiken People, Turubu Area, Papua New Guinea

An exceptional old Boiken feasting dish. Stone carved from hard wood in shallow form the underside bearing raised motif representing a stylised flying fox; a common totem figure from this area. The inside showing signs of extensive use. Weathered patina, with some evident loss caused by insects and a couple of minor age splits; in fine condition. Definitely on of the oldest and finest that we have handled in some time. Circa 19th Century.

Diameter: 52 cm or 20.5 inches.
Price: $1000.00 AUD

Mt Hagen Area, Western Highlands, Papua New Guinea

A beautiful old Western Highlands turban shell neck ornament. Eight (8) crescent shaped pieces of turban shell strung on bush string. Worn as an adornment during sing sings, sometimes traditionally traded as a form of shell currency. Smooth rounded edges with encrustations from extensive use; in excellent condition. A fine example of tribal jewellery. Mounted on a steel display stand.

Shell section width: 23 cm or 9 inches.
Price: SOLD

Maprik Area, Papua New Guinea

An unusual magical object. Apparently carved from human bone, which it does look like to us. We are not completely sure of its use, but it seems to be involved in initiation ceremonies of young men. Deeply carved motif with nicely rounded edges and a glossy honey patina from extensive handling over time. In excellent condition. Mounted on a steel display stand.

Height: 11.5 cm or 4.5 inches.
Price: Sold

Ulupu Village, Maprik Area, Papua New Guinea

An old Abelam woven yam mask. Attached to yams at harvest ceremonies to represent ancestor spirits. Unusual stout form of woven cane with lovely muted natural pigment decoration. The reverese showing age due to built up encrustations; in excellent condition. Mounted on a steel display stand.

Dimensions: 21 x 31 cm or 8.25 x 12.2 inches.
Price: $950.00 AUD