Dynamic Manam Dance Mask – tc179

Category: Masks,latest pieces

Manam Island, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

This impressive fellow originates from Manam Island. Carved from hard wood, in classic form, the large forehead undecorated as it would be adorned with dog and pig tooth head bands at ceremonial occasions. The sharp beak like nose does not rejoin the chin which is deeply carved with abstract motif. All of the attachment holes around the outer rim of the mask, are cut square and show signs of extensive use, the extra large bite stick still present showing old bite marks. Layers upon layers of red trade pigment decoration, with rough adze carving on the reverse. In perfect condition. Circa 1920′s; custom mounted.

Height: 51 cm cm or 20 inches.
Price: Australian $7500.00

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Old Manam Janus Paddle Figure – tc176

Category: Figures,latest pieces

Manam Island, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

This guy would have once adorned the top of a large ocean going canoe paddle. At the time of collection the paddle was long gone and he had been turned into a personal ancestral figure. Both faces with large beak like nose, and coffee bean eyes, while the conical headdress is decorated with classic linear motif. Weathered and encrusted built up patina in excellent condition. Circa 1930′s. Custom mounted.

Height: 37 cm cm or 14.5 inches.
Price: Australian $750.00

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2 Bogia Shell & Bone Hair Pins – tc182

Category: Adornments,latest pieces

Bogia District, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

This pair of personal adornments are used as stand alone decoration, and also to pin on large shell crowns used at ceremonial occasions. Crafted from fine cassowary bone pins with nassa shells attached using a blend of bush and synthetic string. All over dark encrusted patina from extensive use; in fine condition Circa 1960′s. Custom mounted.

Heights: 16.5 & 17.5 cm cm or 6.5 & 7 inches.
Price: Australian $500.00

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Beautiful Lower Ramu String Mask “u’Panim” – tc178

Category: Masks,latest pieces

Lower Ramu River, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

This dramatic mask originates from the very lower Ramu River near where it joins the coast. Crafted entirely from bush materials, the face with coconut shell eyes, the “mohawk” on top of the head attained by using 10 old and quite large dogs teeth, while the bulk of the mask is decorated with hundreds of tiny nassa shells. Still vibrant red natural pigment decoration while the fringe on the bottom of the mask has traces of “recketts blue”. Complimented beautifully with a sharp clam shell nose pin. A perfect example in fine condition. Circa 1940′s. Custom mounted.

Width x Height: 24 x 25 cm cm or 9.5 x 9.75 inches.
Price: Sold

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Kwoma Conus Shell Armlet & Bone Dagger – tc181

Category: Adornments,Weapons,latest pieces

Washkuk Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

This fine set was traditionally part of a Kwoma warriors war regalia. These days they are more often used as a ceremonial adornment. The Armband is constructed from bush string with large conus shell discs incorporated into the weave, while the dagger is classically Kwoma, shorter and broader than most Sepik daggers, the top knuckle with shell eyes making the dagger seem even more menacing. All over smooth glossy patina on the shells and dagger, the bush string showing signs of extensive use. Circa 1950′s in excellent condition. Custom mounted.

Diameter of Armband: 14 cm cm or 5.5 inches.
Length of Dagger: 21 cm or 8.25 inches.
Price: Australian $700.00

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Abelam Karahut War Charm – tc177

Category: Adornments,latest pieces

Maprik Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

This is one of the finest Karahut we have come across in some time. Crafted completely form bush materials. The face with larger cowrie shell eyes above the elongated broad nose, with a healthy coating of natural pigment decoration. Traditionally worn hanging from the mouth during tribal fighting, more often these days as a ceremonial adornment. All over encrusted patina, particularly on the reverse, in excellent condition. Circa 1950′s. Custom mounted.

Height: 33 cm cm or 13 inches.
Price: Australian $650.00

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Fine Bogia Nose Piece – tc184

Category: Adornments,latest pieces

Bogia District, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

This beautiful nose piece we collected in the mountain ranges inland from Bogia station. The people of this region wear similar adornments to those along the Ramu River. This example is constructed from a perfect blend of bush and introduced materials. The nylon string used as the body fo the piece preferred to bush string due to it lasting longer in the elements, and also being coloured saving this process. The shells on the example are old and in perfect condition, with a nice layer of encrusted patina. The piece is flanked by one red and blue glass trade bead, and the two feather attachments are suspended on gold chain, which we think is a lovely touch. The previous owner assured me that he made it in the early 1970′s and was still using it at time of collection. In what can only be described as perfect condition. Custom mounted.

Width: 14 cm cm or 5.5 inches.
Price: Australian $600.00

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2 Huon Gulf Traditional Fishing Hooks – tc183

Category: Utilitarian Objects,latest pieces

Huon Gulf, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea

A pair of traditional tuna fishing hooks. Both with clam shell stems, while the longer example has a very sharp hook carved from cassowary bone, the shorter one from turtle shell. The cassowary example has its original bush string binding while the turtle shell hook, has been restrung with nylon fishing string, long ago, the binding now exhibiting its yellowish patina from time spent in the sea. Both show signs of extensive use and are in fantastic condition. Circa 1930′s. Custom mounted

Heights: 9 & 14 cm cm or 3.5 & 5.5 inches.
Price: Sold

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Lower Ramu Dance Mask – tc180

Category: Masks,latest pieces

Manam Island, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

A fine Lower Ramu Dance mask. Carved in classic form from hard wood, the pierced ears with bush fiber earrings, while the solid brow has traces of shell inlay set in resin. The top suspension lug, and crocodile head protruding from the chin used to attach the mask to the dancers costume both exhibit extensive wear. The pouted mouth and eyes are carved through. Varied patina on the front surface with some of the bush varnish finish having worn away, while the reverse is smooth and glossy. Circa 1940′s In excellent condition.

Height: 52 cm or 20.5 inches.
Price: Australian $3200.00

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Ancient Fijian Tapa Beater: tc175

Category: Utilitarian Objects,latest pieces

Fiji

An old and extremely well used bark cloth “tapa” beater. Carved from heavy dense wood, the four flat sides used to beat the bark with incised linear striations. Deep glossy patina, in excellent condition. Collected by Captain T.C. Tilly 1860 – 1890 during his expeditions with Bishop John Patterson converting the Pacific natives to Christianity. Custom mounted.

Length: 24 cm or 9.5 inches.
Price: Australian $1300.00

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