Solomon Islands

An old and extremely well used Solomon Islands 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: 35 cm or 13.75 inches
Price: SOLD

Guam River, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

Here we have a fantastic ancient Guam River dance mask. Carved using non metal tools, from hard wood; the face with an exaggerated nose and huge pierced septum. The outer rim of the mask pierced to attach to the dancers woven costume, and the holes on this mask are extremely well worn from use. Weathered and extremely encrusted, with minor loss evident to the left ear. In excellent condition. Custom mounted. Late 19th to early 20th Century.

Height: 45 cm or 17.5 inches
Price: SOLD

Fiji

An extremely elegant old Fijian ceremonial club. These clubs were not intended for warfare, and were made exclusively for chiefs or priests. They were however capable of doing some real damage in the event that they were needed to be used. The paddle end of this example is completely covered in classic incised linear motif remnant of Tongan or Samoan designs where many of these clubs originated. There is also a rim of carved motif on the flared butt on the base of the stem. Dark glossy patina, in excellent condition. Circa 19th Century. Custom mounted.

Lengths: 110 cm or 43.5 inches
Price:SOLD

Mt Hagen Area, Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

A large Western Highlands steel war shield. Skilfully crafted from an old flattened 44 gallon drum. Decorated on the front with a painted image of “The Phantom” PNG’s favourite comic character. On the reverse remain the woven bush string handles, and there is a woven bush fibre bilum like fringe running along the upper rim. These steel shields started appearing around the 1950′s-60′s when the weapon of choice in the Highlands was the shotgun, and we have seen same fantastic home-made guns while up there. This one has battle scars on the upper sections from what appears to be axes, and possibly bullets or arrows. Similar examples can be seen in the collection of The National Gallery of Victoria, Australia. Mid 20th Century, in fine condition.

Dimensions: 90 x 150 cm or 35.5 x 59 inches.
Price: SOLD

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

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

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

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

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

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