North Coast, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A woven coastal Boiken ornament. Skilfully woven split cane structure, with introduced wire probably from electrical cable in stylised crocodile form. This wire would have replaced cassowary quills, and is a fine display of Melanesian adaptation to modern materials. Nassa shell fringing, and two larger cowrie shells on either side. Worn traditionally in the mouth clamped between the teeth during warfare, however these days more often as an adornment during sing sings. Mounted on a custom stand. Mid 20th Century.

Width: 21 cm or 8.25 inches.
Length: 14 cm or 5.5 inches

Price: Price on Application

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: Price on Application

Louisiade Archipelago, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

A collection of three Massim nose pieces. All are carved from clam shell, and bear a lovely golden patina from extensive use. These three date from the late 19th to the very early 20th Century, and are great examples in excellent condition. Mounted on a custom steel display stand.

Lengths: 12.5 - 16.25 cm or 5 - 6.5 inches.

Price:SOLD

Ulupu Village, Maprik Area, Papua New Guinea

A large Abelam woven headdress. Attached to yams at harvest ceremonies, or worn attached to the head and worn as an adornment at cing sing ceremonies. Woven cane, in wonderful openwork form with muted natural pigment decoration. In excellent condition.

Dimensions: 50 x 48cm or 19.5 x 18.75 inches.
Price: $650.00 AUD

Malaita Island, Solomon Islands, Melanesia.

A fine Malaita Island comb. Constructed of spliced dark palm wood bound together with bindings of plaited orchid and coconut palm fibres, dyed using vegetal dyes. Usually worn by men. In excellent condition.
Height: 18 cm or 7 inches.
Price: $200.00 AUD

Admrialty Islands, Papua New Guinea

A beautiful old Admiralty Islands hair comb. Finely cut bamboo teeth bound together; the upper handle section being covered in paste made from Parinarium nuts, coloured using vegetal dyes. The two cross struts are bound to the teeth using bark fibre. Usually worn by men. In excellent condition.

Height: 24 cm or 9.5 inches.
Price: $250.00 AUD

Marind-Anim People, Southern New Guinea

A pair of old and rare Marind-Anim ceremonial arm adornments. Hollowed out hard wood bands with applied yellow ochres, and resin set jobes tears and abrus seed attachments. Weatherd patina with some loss of the seed attachments.
Average Dimensions: 12 x 11 cm or 4.75 x 4.5 inches.
Price: $400.00 AUD

Highlands Region, Papua New Guinea.

An old Western Highlands bark belt. Decorated with rows of incised triangular and linear motifs. Interestinlgy the motifs are incomplete on one end. Weathered old smooth patina. Circa early 20th Century.

Height: 15 cm or 6 inches.
Diameter: 27 cm or 10.5 inches.
Price: $400.00 AUD

Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea.

A wonderful Highlands pectoral ornament. A large carved bailer shell suspended on a natural fibre cord. Incised motif runs along the upper rim, with encrustations of buai and pig fat on the reverse. In excellent condition. Circa Late 19th to early 20th Century. Presented on a custom made display stand

Dimensions (not including stand): 27 x 23 cm or 10.5 x 9 inches.
Price: $650.00 AUD

Yungili Village, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea

A fine Southern Highlands kina shell pectoral adornment. A large crescent shaped section on gold-lipped pearl shell, suspended on a tightly woven sennit fibre neckband. Decorated with red pigments, cus cus fur, pig tails and shell attachments. Notabley there is a piece of mirror fixed to the front of the shell with resin, a nice use of modern materials on an old adornment. Encased in a storage pouch made from bark fibre bound with bush string. A beautiful example of fine tribal jewelery. Used as an adornment at ceremonies, and as currency in bride price exchanges. Also worth noting are the number of knots on the string attachments which represent generations of use. In excellent condition. Circa late 19th to early 20th century.
Width of Kina: 23 cm or 9 inches
Price: $550.00 AUD