New Ireland Chalk “Kulap” Funery Figure – tc65

Category: Figures

New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea

These figures play an important role in the complex funeral ceremonies of the people of this region. Carved to represent the deceased relative, and kept in a sacred house or shrine, they are said to embody the spirit of the deceased. Once the ceremony is completed and the spirit has left the Kulap to join other ancestors, they are taken away; broken and either discarded into the bush or sold. This example has a wonderful carved face, and two sections of loss behind the figure where there would have possibly been other figures. Old surface encrustations, in fine condition. Mounted on a custom made glossy hard wood base. Late 19th to early 20th Century.

Height: 29 cm or 11.5 inches.
Price: Price on Application

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Powerful Old Murik Lakes Masked Figure – tc37

Category: Figures

Murik Lakes, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A powerful Murik Lakes ancestor figure. Brilliantly carved from hard wood, with an almost alien like elongated body. The long narrow arms with intricately carved hands are holding a spear in one, and a scoop in the other, while the features on the classic Murik masked face are raised, the ears pierced for attachments. There are traces of pigment in places, however it has mostly worn away. Weathered varied patina, with evident loss to the left leg. In overall excellent condition. Mid 20th Century.

Height: 146 cm or 57.5 inches.
Price: Price on Application

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Old Highlands Phantom Steel War Shield – bf626

Category: Archive,Weapons

Mt Hagen Area, Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

A large Western Highlands steel war shield. Skilfully crafted from an old flattened 44 gallon drum. Decorated on the front with a painted image of “The Phantom” PNG’s favourite comic character. On the reverse remain the woven bush string handles, and there is a woven bush fibre bilum like fringe running along the upper rim. These steel shields started appearing around the 1950′s-60′s when the weapon of choice in the Highlands was the shotgun, and we have seen same fantastic home-made guns while up there. This one has battle scars on the upper sections from what appears to be axes, and possibly bullets or arrows. Similar examples can be seen in the collection of The National Gallery of Victoria, Australia. Mid 20th Century, in fine condition.

Dimensions: 90 x 150 cm or 35.5 x 59 inches.
Price: SOLD

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Massim Ebony Dagger Club – tc14

Category: Archive

Normanby Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

An interesting little Massim club. Carved in almost dagger like form from black ebony; the centre is decorated in typical Massim curvilinear incised motif, with a square cut hole on the butt end. Possibly intended for close combat, and extremely well balanced, with one of the glossiest almost mirror-like patina’s we have seen in some time. Mounted on a custom steel stand; in perfect condition. Early to Mid 20th Century.

Height: 44.5 cm or 17.5 inches.
Price: SOLD

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Important Double Faced Abelam Baba Mask – tc35

Category: Masks

Maprik Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A fantastic example of this style of woven mask. Made particularly interesting by the second backwards facing face. Extremely well woven with raised mouths, and ears, and coiled frames around the faces and along the ridges of the nose. Wearing a cassowary feather headdress, and beautifully decorated with natural pigments. Smokey dark patina from time spent in storage in the “hauskuk” , in excellent condition. Mounted on a custom display stand. Early to mid 20th Century.

Dimensions: 63 x 50 x 26 cm or 24.5 x 19.5 x 10.25 inches.
Price: $2200.00 AUD

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Kwoma Mindja Figure – tc20

Category: Figures

Washkuk Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A striking old Mindja figure. In tall elongated form, with a deeply recessed face and long protruding pierced nose. Cut out eyes, and raised open mouth, beautifully decorated in black, white and red natural pigments; which are layers deep indicating repeated ceremonial use. Weathered and encrusted patina with minor loss to the raised ridges on the bottom section, and a small hole hidden behind the nose; in overall excellent condition. Early to mid 20th Century. Custom mounted.

Height: 146 cm or 57.5 inches.
Price: Price on Application

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Elegant 19th Century Massim Feasting Bowl -bf820

Category: Utilitarian Objects

Ferguson Island, Milne Bay Province Province, Papua New Guinea

An elegant old Massim feasting bowl. Beautifully carved in shallow form the outer and top rim decorated in classic abstract motif, with two large “Janus” frigate birds raising from one edge. Weathered from time in the field, with native repairs using nylon to a couple of old splits on the rim. Displays beautifully on its custom stand. Circa 19 Century.

Diameter: 61 cm or 24 inches.
Price: Australian$2000.00

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Papuan Gulf Gope Board – tc21

Category: Figures

Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea

An older and extremely beautiful Papuan Gulf Gope Board. This particular example was collected at the headwaters of the Aria River between Biamaru and Kikori and is know as “Kwoi” in the local language. It has fantastic open form of the carving around the face and stylised body of the figure. Decorated with natural pigments. Weathered patina with some muting of the pigments, and evident insect depredation, which is now stable, and actually adds to the appeal. On the reverse is some charring on the top of the board. In overall fantastic condition. Mid 20th Century.

Height: 140 cm or 55 inches.
Price: $3500.00 AUD

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Massim Wooden Gabaela Spatula – bf765

Category: Archive

Louisiade Archipelago, Milne Bay Province,, Papua New Guinea

An important Massim spatula. These fine pieces are actually a presentation scepter or wealth object rather than a utilitarian spatula, displaying the important bagi shell currency attachments. This example has only a few of its bagi discs remaining, and uses early glass trade beads a substitutes. Wonderfully carved with two stylised frigate birds at the centre. Varied weathered patina; with minor loss evident at each tip. Early to mid 20th Century. Mounted on a custom display stand. .

Height: 37 cm or 14.5 inches.
Width: 25 cm or 9.8 inches
Price: SOLD

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Gawa Island Canoe Splashboard – tc36

Category: Other Objects

Gawa Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

A vibrant Gawa Island canoe splashboard. Carved from dense wood, the top section with wonderful incised and openwork abstract motif, while the body of the board is covered in classic Massim serpent motif. The front surface with applied “trade” pigments some of which has weathered away from time at sea. There is a village repair to a split on the top using nylon fishing line; In overall excellent condition. Mounted on a custom steel stand..

Dimensions: 72 x 59 cm or 28.25 x 23.25 inches.
Price: SOLD

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