Sudest Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

An old large and very impressive Sudest Island presentation axe. These fine objects are a status or trade object rather than a utilitarian axe. The beautiful greenstone blade is fixed into the highly elaborate wooden handle by bark fibre binding. Wonderful avian motif on the bottom of the handle the back edge and top tip of the wooden handle which has been decorated with green and white “trade” pigments. Weathered patina; in perfect condition. Early 20th Century; Custom mounted.

Height: 105 cm or 41 inches.
Price: Australian $2200.00

Monu Village, Irian Jaya / West Papua

A dramatic Asmat war shield of monumental proportions. This is definitely one of the more interesting examples we have found in some time. Carved from light hard wood in elongated leaf form; the front surface completely covered in raised abstract motif. The top bears a classic Asmat ancestor head, as does the top and bottom of the lug handle on the reverse. Painted using natural pigments. Weathered patina in excellent condition. On the reverse attached to the Handle is an old collection label stating: “W Asmat Shield, Monu Village, Artist: Beti”. Mid 20th Century

Height: 198 cm or 78 inches
Price: Australian $6500.00

Fiji

An old and extremely well used Fijian bark cloth “tapa” beater. Carved from heavy dense wood, with three of the four flat sides used to beat the bark adorned with incised linear striations; while the last surface remains without carving. Dark old glossy patina, circa 19th Century in excellent condition. Custom mounted.

Ex Richard Berry Collection, Melbourne.

Height: 36 cm or 14 inches
Price: SOLD

Flinders Ranges, Northern South Australia

A beautiful and early Flinders Rangers Aboriginal shield. Carved from dark dense mulga wood, in stout solid form; for use as a shield and also being solid enough to do its own damage while parrying the enemy away. The front surface with curved bands of incised linear motif extending out form the circular motif at centre. The same motif runs around the back edge of the shield and lug handle. The patina is so glossy that it was almost hard to photograph due to the highly reflective surface. Mid 19th Century, in excellent condition. Custom mounted.

Height: 52 cm or 20.5 inches.
Price: Sold

Collingwood Bay, Oro Province, Papua New Guinea

A fine early Collingwood Bay lime spatula. Carved in slender form; the handle classically segmented, with incised linear motif, bearing traces of natural red and possibly rekkits blue pigments. At the centre of the handle are four carved holes, presumably for seed or shell attachments. All over deep glossy handling patina; the tip nicely betel stained in perfect condition. Late 19th Century; custom mounted

Length: 44 cm or 17.25 inches.
Price: Australian$2800.00

Darling River, New South Wales, Australia

An early Darling River Aboriginal fighting club. Fashioned from hard dense wood; the distal end with a large bulbous striking head. A fine example, with a perfect balance. Deep dark glossy patina; in perfect condition. Circa Mid 19th Century. Custom mounted.

Height: 74 cm or 29 inches.

Price: Australian$1600.00

Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

A large old Massim lime spatula. The handle decorated with two “Janus” figures in classic pose. On the front and reverse of the stem is a raised carved snake, usually found on early examples. Remnant lime infill on the motif surrounding and covering the figures and the body and facial details of the snake. The tip nicely betel stained. Deep glossy handling patina. Circa late 19th to early 20th Century; in excellent condition. Custom mounted.

Height: 39.5 cm or 15.5 inches.

Price: Australian$2000.00

Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea

A beautiful old Gulf turtle shell arm ornament. Skilfully carved from thick piece of carapace; and highly decorated with incised abstract linear motif. On the upper rim are two carved holes, presumably for seed or shell attachments. Soft rounded edges form extensive wear in excellent condition. Early 20th Century.

Diameter: 8 cm or 3.1 inches.

Price: Australian$1200.00

Aibom Viallage, Chambri Lakes, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

An attractive Aibom sago storage pot. Sculpted usually by women, and decorated with a zoomorphic avian face with a large toothy grinning mouth. You have to love the flare of these ceramic artists; for the way they beautifully decorate their day to day utilitarian objects. Applied natural pigment decoration. Mid 20th Century; with signs of extensive use, excellent condition.

Height: 27 cm or 10.5 inches.

Price: SOLD