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

Kerama Area, Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea

A large old Papuan Gulf “Kap Kap” ornament. Beautifully crafted from a piece of bailer shell, the central openwork shell section held in place by an old Colonial ceramic button; introduced early on as trade beads. This example is of large proportions; and most likely belonged to a man of high status amongst the community. Circa early to mid 20th Century. Custom mounted.

Diameter: 12.5 cm or 5inches.
Price:SOLD

Java, Indonesia

A fine pair of ancient glass earrings. We acquired these at auction in Sydney a number of years ago; claiming that they were West Papuan glass trade beads. We have searched and searched but found no supporting evidence of this. We did find a reference in a book “A World of Earrings” by Anne Van Cuat Sem; plate 289. Stating that similar glass objects to these were excavated in Java; and dated from the 15th Century during the Majapahit Empire. Weather or not they were then traded with West Papuans is up to you. They are indeed beautiful with undoubted age. Custom mounted; in excellent condition.

Width: 5 & 4 cm or 2 & 1.5 inches.
Price: SOLD

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: SOLD

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

Boiken Area, East Sepik, Papua New Guinea

A fine old Boiken turtle shell adornment. These beautiful adornments are generally used as armbands however the traditional owner of this particular piece insisted that this was a hair coif. Decorated with incised motif; the inner surface nicely worn from use. In excellent condition. Circa mid 20th Century.

Dimensions: 10 x 9 cm or 4 x 3.5 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

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: SOLD

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: SOLD

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