Maprik Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

An elegant Abelam Kundu drum. Carved from dense wood in classic hourglass form. The centre and lower section highly decorated with curvilinear motif, while the handle bears two spirit faces, and a stylised parrot head on the bottom which has been carved through. Applied natural pigment decoration the lizard skin membrane intact. A great kundu with a fantastic sound; in excellent condition. Mid 20th Century.

Length: 48 cm or 19 inches
Price: $750.00 AUD

Fiji

An extremely elegant old Fijian ceremonial club. These clubs were not intended for warfare, and were made exclusively for chiefs or priests. They were however capable of doing some real damage in the event that they were needed to be used. The paddle end of this example is completely covered in classic incised linear motif remnant of Tongan or Samoan designs where many of these clubs originated. There is also a rim of carved motif on the flared butt on the base of the stem. Dark glossy patina, in excellent condition. Circa 19th Century. Custom mounted.

Lengths: 110 cm or 43.5 inches
Price:SOLD

New Georgia or Vella Lavella Islands, Solomon Islands

A beautiful bust of a young girl originating from New Georgia or Vela Lavella Islands. Skilfully carved in fine naturalistic form using blackened hardwood, with pearl shell inlay motif including eyes and ear ornaments with an attached fibre coiffure. The fibre hair is bleached coconut husk. It is believed that these were carved in the late 19th and early 20th Century as early European trade items. This example is in perfect condition. A charming sculpture with a real presence.

Height: 26.5 cm or 10.5 inches
Price: Australian$3500.00

Kairiru Island, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A Kairiru Island female ancestor figure. Carved from hard wood, with a serious expression on her face, surmounted by a zoomorphic figure perched on her head. On her back shoulders there is a section of raised linear motif. We are not sure if this is a stand alone figure or due to the half animal perhaps taken from a larger carving. Blackened glossy patina, in excellent condition. Mid 20th Century. Custom mounted.

Height: 37 cm or 14.5 inches
Price: $1000.00 AUD

Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

A Western Highlands wooden arm ornament.Wonderfully carved from hard wood, the entire outer surface covered in classic linear motif. Not a great deal of carving comes out of the highlands; making this quite a rare and unusual item. A great example of Highlands jewellery. Mid 20th Century. Custom mounted.

Length: 10cm or 4 inches.
Diameter: 9 cm or 3.5 inches.
Price:SOLD

Vakuta Island, Trobriand Islands, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

A group of three pig bone lime spatulas. Used as an everyday utilitarian object in the process of chewing betel; which the Trobriand Islanders are completely mad about. All three display a deep rich golden handling patina from extensive use, and have nicely betel stained tips. Early to mid 20th Century. Custom mounted.

Lengths: 19 cm or 7 – 7.5 inches
Price: $400.00 AUD

Burma / Myanmar

A fine and truly ancient pair of Ivory ear plugs, from the hills tribes of Burma. Cut form two sections of ivory, probably the same tusk; as there are striations that line up almost perfectly on both plugs. A single pecked circle adorn the front of each. Deep golden honey patina from extensive use; in excellent condition. Early 19th Century. Perfectly wearable, with the right piercing. Custom mounted.

Diameter: 5 cm or 2 inches.
Thickness: 18 mm or 0.75 inches.
Price: SOLD

Vanuatu / New Hebrides

A fine Vanuatu Avain canoe prow. Carved from hard blond light wood, apparently representing a Tern whose job it is to guide the canoe and sailors home safely. These prow’s are like personalised number plates on sports cars; and this example with the central ridge running from the open mouth through the body; would have once belonged to a man of high status. It has been adorned with incised linear motif along the back of the bird and ridge and outer edges of the central section. Overall excellent condition. Collected in the 1950′s, dating prior to this. Custom mounted.

Length: 60 cm or 23.5 inches
Price: SOLD

Fiji

A fine example of this style of Fijian club. Dense wood; the distal end beautifully carved with deep fissures around the bulbous head tapering down to the slender handle which is adorned with “Tavatava” motif worn down from extensive handling prior to collection. This is a little gem, and just holding it you get a feel for the real damage that it would do……….and maybe has done. Deep old glossy patina, with a small section of depredation on the reverse of the handle in overall excellent condition. Circa 18th/ early 19th Century. Custom Mounted.

Ex Dirk Hudig Collection New Zealand.

Height: 43 cm or 17 inches
Price:Sold

Louisiade Archipelago, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

A fine Massim turtle shell Gabaela. These grand spatulas are actually a presentation item, displaying the important bagi shell currency attachments. Wonderfully carved from a beautiful piece of carapace, with incised motif, most notably the beautiful stylised bird adorning the front and reverse central stem; and delightful open work sections at each end. The bagi shell attachments on this example are long gone; however there is evidence along the piercings that they were indeed once attached. Deep old dark patina, with minor loss evident on one side; in overall fantastic condition. Circa: Late 19th to early 20th Century. Custom mounted.

Height: 26 cm or 10.25 inches
Price: SOLD