Maprik Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A old and extremely rare Abelam war shield. (”Only one published example has been identified” - B. Craig - Shields of Melanesia) Carved in elongated rectangular form with a shallow backwards facing curve. The entire front surface covered in abstract curvilinear motif, bearing two spirit faces. This shield has seen plenty of battle as on the front side has forty or so spear holes, many of them displaying limbum spear tips from Abelam fighting spears. Now according to our knowledge there has been no major tribal fighting in this area since the 1930’s, and this shield had seen plenty of action before this. Minor loss evident on the top right edge weathered dry patina, in overall excellent condition. Late 19th to early 20th Century.

Reference - Shields of Melanesia, edited by Harry Beran and Barry Craig, Adelaide: Crawford House Publishing in association with the Oceanic Art Society, 2005, p. 92, fig. 4.27

Dimensions: 164 x 41 cm or 64.5 x 15.75 inches

Price: Price on Application

Guam River, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

Here we have a fantastic ancient Guam River dance mask. Carved using non metal tools, from hard wood; the face with an exaggerated nose and huge pierced septum. The outer rim of the mask pierced to attach to the dancers woven costume, and the holes on this mask are extremely well worn from use. Weathered and extremely encrusted, with minor loss evident to the left ear. In excellent condition. Custom mounted. Late 19th to early 20th Century.

Height: 45 cm or 17.5 inches

Price: RESERVED

Buka, Bougainville Island

A fine Buka ceremonial paddle. The people of Buka, were champion seafarers and reputedly used these decorated paddles on special voyages of exploration, trading or head-hunting raids. This is a fine example with both sides of the paddle decorated with a carved and painted image of the spirit figure referred to as Roko. Early 20th Century, wonderful patina on the handle; in excellent condition. Custom mounted.

Height: 144 cm or 56.5 inches

Price: $3500.00 AUD

Huon Gulf, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea

A well loved Huon Gulf pectoral ornament, known in local Yabim language as a “Yabo”. Two fully circular boars tusks bound at the centre using bush fibre binding. These ornaments are highly revered by the people of this region, due to the time and care taken to grow the pig tusks in this fashion; and are generally worn by “Big Men”. We collected this example on a field trip a couple of years ago, and it can only be described as in perfect condition. The Tusks worn smooth from extensive handling. Reputed to be four generations old, we would happily say Mid 20th Century. Custom mounted

Overall Width: 22 cm or 8.75 inches
Tusk Diameter: 11 cm or 4.25 inches.

Price: $1400.00 AUD

Fijian Islands

A fine Fijian pole club, referred to as “Bowai”. Carved from a beautiful dark reddish hard wood the top half entirely encircled in decorative chevron motif. Commonly known as “tavatava”; and said to represent Fijian tattoos. This is an exceptional example with definite age dating from the late 19th Century. Dark glossy patina from extensive handling, with a small section of professional restoration to a chip on the upper rim; and barely noticeable. In overall excellent condition. Custom mounted.
Ex. Dirk Hudig Collection, New Zealand.

Height: 124 cm or 48.75 inches

Price: $3200.00 AUD

Maprik Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

An old and very well used Abelam Yam mask. Used to decorate the male yams at harvest ceremonies. Carved from dense hard wood in elongated narrow form. The exaggerated nose running almost the entirety of the face. Layers and layers of pigments, indicating repeated use over time. The septum pierced for feather attachments. Weathered and encrusted patina. In overall excellent condition. Early 20th Century. Custom mounted.

Height: 36 cm or 14 inches

Price: RESERVED

Misingi Village, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

An old Ramu ancestor figure, most likely originating from Misingi Village. Carved from light hard wood, the main face framed by sharp inwardly pointing projections. Interestingly this example has two other faces adorning the waist, one on the front, the other on the reverse. Muted natural pigment decoration, and some minor loss evident to three of the pointed projections, and old loss to the left leg, which appears to be caused by an over zealous rodent. Weathered and encrusted patina. Mid 20th Century. Custom mounted.

Height: 63.5 cm or 25 inches

Price: $1500.00 AUD

Huon Gulf, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea

An old Huon Gulf ceremonial bowl. Carved from dense wood in large proportions; deep oval form; with two avian carvings projecting from each end. The side flanked by two classic ancestor figures that appear to be guarding the bowl. Remnant lime infill on the birds and figures. Deep glossy patina. In excellent condition. Early 20th Century.

Length: 52 cm or 20.5 inches

Price: $1800.00 AUD

Ramu River, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

A wonderful old lower Ramu dance mask. Carved from dense wood; in classic form; the eyes and mouth carved through; piercing on the ears on the side of the nose for attachments. These masks are attached to large woven structures that the dancer wears, and the attachment holes around the rim of this mask are heavily worn. Applied natural pigment, some of which is muted, and evidence of insect depredation, on the back left side which has caused minor loss to the left ear. This is now stable, and only adds to the charm of the mask, who has spent most of its life until recently in the field. Varied encrusted patina; in fine condition. Circa 1930’s, custom mounted.

Height: 60 cm or 23 inches

Price: $3500.00 AUD

Maprik Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A huge ancient Abelam Yua currency disc. Carved from a section of giant clam shell “tridacna gigus”. Traditionally used as currency in bride price payments throughout the Abelam region; still to this day. Incised linear motif representing a hornbill beak adorn the top section; with the later addition of red synthetic fibre attachment. These wealth objects are graded on both size and quality; and rest assured this example is definitely A grade. Smooth old handling patina, in excellent condition. Custom mounted. Circa 19th century.

Inside Diameter: 9 cm or 3.5 inches.
Outside Diameter: 25 cm or 9.5 inches.

Price:SOLD