A Pair of Fine Massim Lime Spatula - tc24

Category: Utilitarian Objects

Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

A wonderful pair of old Massim lime spatula. Both are carved from beautiful dark ebony wood. The figural example is in a classical pose, with elbows resting on knees and is highly decorated in abstract motif. While the other is a “clapper style, with two faces on the handle and a great sound when knocked against the hand. The figural spatula is late 19th Century while the clapper dates from the early 20th, both are in excellent condition. Mounted on a custom stands.

Heights: 32 & 32 cm or 12.5 & 12.5 inches.

Price: $2200.00 AUD

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Old Wosera Charm Figure - tc7

Category: Figures

Wosera District, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A 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.

Price: $900.00 AUD

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Beautiful Massim Turtle Shell Spatula - tc19

Category: Archive

Amphlett Island Group, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

A 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.

Price: SOLD

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Old Abelam Female Figure - tc2

Category: Figures

Maprik area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A 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.

Price: $1750.00 AUD

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Elegant Massim Sago Stirer Dobu Island - tc33

Category: Archive

Dobu Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

An 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.

Price: Sold

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Middle Sepik Spear-Thrower Ornament - tc40

Category: Weapons

East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A finely carved middle Sepik spear-thrower ornament. Used as a guide to physically direct the spear whilst being thrown, but also said to have magical powers to help the spear attain its target. Carved in zoomorphic form, possibly representing a Sepik Crocodile or maybe a freshwater shrimp. It exhibits great attention to detail including a pierced nose, often found on earlier examples. Warm glossy patina, early to mid 20th Century. Custom mounted

Length: 25 cm or 9.8 inches.

Price: $450.00 AUD

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Western Australian Aboriginal “Wunda” Shield - tc34

Category: Archive

Western Australia

An 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.

Price: SOLD

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Kairiru Island Betel Mortar - tc6

Category: Utilitarian Objects

Kairiru Island, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A 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.

Price: $750.00 AUD

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Abelam Dog Tooth Ornament - bf483

Category: Adornments

Maprik Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A 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.

Price: RESERVED

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Old Karawari Yipwon Fragment - tc38

Category: Figures

Karawari River, Papua New Guinea

A 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.

Price: $1100.00 AUD

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