Massim Ebony Dagger Club - tc14

Category: Archive

Normanby Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

An interesting little Massim club. Carved in almost dagger like form from black ebony; the centre is decorated in typical Massim curvilinear incised motif, with a square cut hole on the butt end. Possibly intended for close combat, and extremely well balanced, with one of the glossiest almost mirror-like patina’s we have seen in some time. Mounted on a custom steel stand; in perfect condition. Early to Mid 20th Century.

Height: 44.5 cm or 17.5 inches.

Price: SOLD

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Massim Wooden Gabaela Spatula - bf765

Category: Archive

Louisiade Archipelago, Milne Bay Province,, Papua New Guinea

An important Massim spatula. These fine pieces are actually a presentation scepter or wealth object rather than a utilitarian spatula, displaying the important bagi shell currency attachments. This example has only a few of its bagi discs remaining, and uses early glass trade beads a substitutes. Wonderfully carved with two stylised frigate birds at the centre. Varied weathered patina; with minor loss evident at each tip. Early to mid 20th Century. Mounted on a custom display stand. .

Height: 37 cm or 14.5 inches.
Width: 25 cm or 9.8 inches

Price: SOLD

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19th Century Massim Sword Club - tc11

Category: Archive

Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

A beautiful old Massim sword club. Carved from a beautiful piece of black ebony; the distal end highly decorated in classic Massim motif with piercings on the butt and distal ends for attachments. One of the finest we have had on offer in some time. Deep glossy patina from generations of handling, in excellent condition. Mounted on a custom steel display stand.

Height: 70 cm or 27.5 inches.

Price: SOLD

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Beautiful Massim Turtle Shell Spatula - tc19

Category: Archive

Amphlett Island Group, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

A beautiful Massim lime spatula, collected on the Amphlett Islands. Finely carved from a section of turtle shell, with a decorative openwork carved terminal, described by Harry Berran as representing a sea urchin. Glass beads, plastic discs, shell and banana seed attachments, the tip still nicely betel stained. An elegant utilitarian object carved from an exquisite material; in excellent condition. Early to mid 20th Century. Mounted on a custom steel display stand..

Height: 32.5 cm or 12.55 inches.

Price: SOLD

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Elegant Massim Sago Stirer Dobu Island - tc33

Category: Archive

Dobu Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

An old Massim food stirrer, collected on Dobu Island. Splendid, elegant form; the handle decorated in incised abstract motif, and pierced for Pandanus leaf attachments. There is also a small section of raised motif above the spoon section. Deep glossy patina from extensive handling over time, the stirrer still nicely encrusted with sago deposits. 19th century, custom mounted.

Height: 115 cm or 45.2 inches.

Price: Sold

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Western Australian Aboriginal “Wunda” Shield - tc34

Category: Archive

Western Australia

An older hardwood “Wunda” shield. Great ovoid form the front side decorated with a classic deeply carved zig-zag design, while the reverse bears linear fluting over the entire surface and rigid handle. Traces of red ochre can still be seen in some of the carved design, and there is evidence of use as a cutting block as you will see by the scars above and below the handle. Dating from the late 19th century and in fantastic condition. Custom Mounted.

Height: 78 cm or 30.5 inches.

Price: SOLD

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Papuan Gulf Magic Charm “Marupai” - bf881

Category: Archive

Elema District, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea

A Papuan Gulf Marupai. These small ornamented magic charms are skilfully carved from dwarf coconuts, and decorated with incised motif with lime infill. They serve as a protective or hunting charm, and are highly valued by people of the Gulf. Glossy patina; in excellent condition. Circa Early 20th Century. Mounted on a custom steel display stand.

Length: 11.5 cm or 4.5 inches.

Price: SOLD

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Murik Lakes Dance Mask - bf840

Category: Archive

Murik Lakes, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A Murik Lakes dance mask. Carved from hard wood, with an extremely long nose projecting well below the chin of the mask, and a fantastic carved bird surmounted on the forehead. Vibrant trade and ochre pigment decoration with shell attachments through pierced ears and nose. Large cut holes around the outer rim for attaching to the dancers costume, and judging by the wear on these holes this mask has been danced many times. Minor loss evident on the top left; in excellent condition. Circa 1960’s. Presented on a custom steel display stand.

Height: 61 cm or 24 inches.

Price: SOLD

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Highlands Stone Magic Bowl - bf873

Category: Archive

Highlands, Papua New Guinea

An archaic Highlands stone magic bowl. Little is known about the real function of these objects; both of us have asked repeatedly while on field trips to the Highlands and been given all kinds of tales about their use. We can tell you that this particular bowl is extremely old, and has seen plenty of use, whatever it was, due to the soft roundness of the scalloped edges around the outside rim and the over all smoothness of its surface. Worn and varied patina; in excellent condition.

Dimensions: 15 x 10 cm or 6 x 4 inches.

Price: Sold

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Massim Soulava Kula Trade Ornament - bf806

Category: Archive

Louisiade Archipelago, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

A large and impressive Massim soulava. These important ritual objects play a major role in the complicated Kula trading cycle. This is a great example, consisting of red spondylus discs “bagi”, a cassis shell base with glass trade beads, banana seeds and pearl shell attachments. Notably the double peaked cassis shell section, allowing for a much larger and more dramatic pendant section. There is both natural and introduced fibre used in the construction. Weathered and encrusted patina; in excellent condition.

Dimensions: 26 x 18 cm or 10.2 x 7 inches.

Price: SOLD

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