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Kikori Dirstict, Gulf Province, Papua New GuineaA Papuan Gulf Marupai. These small ornamented magic charms are skilfully carved from dwarf coconuts, this one has a great “Gope” face with natural pigment infill. They serve as a protective or hunting charm, and are highly valued by people of the Gulf. Shiny patina; in excellent condition. Circa early to mid 20th Century. Mounted on a custom steel display stand. Length: 9 cm or 3.5 inches. |
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Milne Bay Province, Papua New GuineaA beautiful old Massim sword club. Carved from a beautiful piece of black ebony; the distal end highly decorated in classic Massim motif with piercings on the butt and distal ends for attachments. One of the finest we have had on offer in some time. Deep glossy patina from generations of handling, in excellent condition. Mounted on a custom steel display stand. Height: 70 cm or 27.5 inches. |
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Wosera District, East Sepik Province, Papua New GuineaA fine little Wosera figure. Carried as a personal charm during hunting and war raids. Carved from light hard wood with fantastic sculptural form. Particularly interesting are the front facing styalised bird beaks that almost join in the centre, reminding us of a Hunstein Garra figure. Deep black glossy encrusted patina, in perfect condition. Mounted on a custom stand. Early to mid 20th Century. Height: 25.5 cm or 105 inches. |
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Amphlett Island Group, Milne Bay Province, Papua New GuineaA beautiful Massim lime spatula, collected on the Amphlett Islands. Finely carved from a section of turtle shell, with a decorative openwork carved terminal, described by Harry Berran as representing a sea urchin. Glass beads, plastic discs, shell and banana seed attachments, the tip still nicely betel stained. An elegant utilitarian object carved from an exquisite material; in excellent condition. Early to mid 20th Century. Mounted on a custom steel display stand.. Height: 32.5 cm or 12.55 inches. |
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Maprik area, East Sepik Province, Papua New GuineaA charming little Abelam female ancestor figure. This figure has wonderful simplistic form, with a cute face, and notably are the carved pectoral and head ornament. There are traces of resin on the head which may have held attachments at some stage. Weathered and encrusted with evident insect depredation which is definitely now stable. Mounted on a custom stand. Early to mid 20th Century. Height: 41 cm or 16 inches. |
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Dobu Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New GuineaAn old Massim food stirrer, collected on Dobu Island. Splendid, elegant form; the handle decorated in incised abstract motif, and pierced for Pandanus leaf attachments. There is also a small section of raised motif above the spoon section. Deep glossy patina from extensive handling over time, the stirrer still nicely encrusted with sago deposits. 19th century, custom mounted. Height: 115 cm or 45.2 inches. |
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Western AustraliaAn older hardwood “Wunda” shield. Great ovoid form the front side decorated with a classic deeply carved zig-zag design, while the reverse bears linear fluting over the entire surface and rigid handle. Traces of red ochre can still be seen in some of the carved design, and there is evidence of use as a cutting block as you will see by the scars above and below the handle. Dating from the late 19th century and in fantastic condition. Custom Mounted. Height: 78 cm or 30.5 inches. |
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Kairiru Island, East Sepik Province, Papua New GuineaA charming Kairiru betel mortar. Carved from light hard wood, in shallow elongated form, with two of what we were informed are flying fox heads at each end. The outer surface of the bowl decorated with abstract motif, the inside nicely betel stained. Glossy handling patina, in excellent condition. Mid 20th Century Length: 15 cm or 6 inches. |
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Maprik Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New GuineaA very well used Abelam dog tooth necklace. 63 canine teeth fixed to a woven bush string neck loop, flanked by two cowrie shell attachments. Obviously a loved adornment due to the later repairs using introduced fibre to allow it to still be used. Lovely golden patina on all of the teeth and cowrie shells, in great condition. Mounted on a custom stand. Mid 20th Century. Diameter: 18 cm or 7 inches. |
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Karawari River, Papua New GuineaA fragment from an older large Yipwon figure, collected by H.M. Lissauer in the 1960′s. Although this figure has seen better days, the striking face and one of the hooked sections still remain intact giving it a dynamic presence. Weathered varied patina, in great condition. Custom mounted. Height: 83 cm or 32.5 inches. |
