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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Massim Ebony Sword Club - bf837

Category: Archive

D’Entrecasteaux Islands, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

An attractive Massim sword club. Carved from a beautiful piece of ebony; the distal end highly decorated in classic Massim motif and pierced for attachments. Minor loss evident on the tip, while the reverse bears the name “A Diko” most likely a previous owner. Deep glossy patina, in excellent condition. Mounted on a custom steel display stand.

Height: 53.5 cm or 21 inches.

Price: Sold

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Highlands Stone Food Pounder - bf880

Category: Archive

Highlands, Papua New Guinea

An ancient Highlands stone food pounder. Simple yet elegant form with a rim of scalloped ridges adorning the base of the stem. Used to prepare hard starchy staples like taro. The stone has taken on a smooth feel and appearance from extensive use; in excellent condition.

Length: 15 cm or 6 inches.

Price: Sold

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Ramu River Betel Mortar - bf808

Category: Archive

Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

An attractive Ramu betel Mortar. Carved with two opposing Mask faces, and two animal heads that appear to be flying foxes extending from each side of the bowl. Soft rounded edges and a glossy patina from handling; the inside of the bowl still nicely betel stained. In excellent condition.

Dimensions: 8 x 9 cm or 3.2 x 3.5 inches.

Price:SOLD

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Massim Turban Shell Spoon - bf848

Category: Archive

Louisiade Archipelago, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea.

An elegant old shell spoon. Skilfully carved from a section of large turban shell, used to eat sago and other soft staples. Lovely smooth round edges from extensive use over time. Wonderful natural colour, which we have done our best to capture in the images. In fine condition, with one small chip on the underside of the lip of the spoon. Mounted on a custom steel display stand.

Dimensions: 21 x 5.5 cm or 8.25 x 2.25 inches.

Price: Sold

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Massim Greenstone Presentation Axe Blade - bf847

Category: Archive

Louisiade Archipelago, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea.

A fine Massim greenstone presentation axe blade. These axe blades were traded or presented as gifts throughout the Massim region and are still to this day highly revered as a form of currency. This is an excellent example with great age, probably centuries. There are a few small nicks around the edges from time in the field; in otherwise perfect condition. Mounted on a custom steel display stand.

Dimensions: 22 x 9 cm or 8.5 x 3.5 inches.

Price: SOLD

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Ancient Boiken Stone Club Head - bf283

Category: Archive

Boiken People, Turubu Area, Papua New Guinea

An ancient Boiken stone club head; with fantastic sculptural form. Carved from a greenish medium hardness stone with a “Star” shape, the centre tapered to allow it to be fitted tightly on to a wooden handle. The stone has a built up encrusted surface; in excellent condition. A prime example of a primitave weapon. Mounted on a steel display stand.
Exhibited in the Melbourne Museum November 2006.

Diameter: 9 cm or 3.5 inches.
Price: Sold

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Fine Massim Drum - bf682

Category: Archive

Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

A wonderful old Massim Drum. Carved in classic form with an elaborate decorative handle, and raised motif on both sides. The motif has a good deal of avian representation amongst it on both the handle and the outer surface of the drum, a popular form of these people. Deep glossy patina from extensive handling over time; with a couple of stable age splits; in great condition. Circa early 20th Century. Mounted on a steel display stand

Length: 98 cm or 38.5 inches.

Price: SOLD

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Old Western Highlands Turban Shell Ornament - bf688

Category: Archive

Mt Hagen Area, Western Highlands, Papua New Guinea

A beautiful old Western Highlands turban shell neck ornament. Eight (8) crescent shaped pieces of turban shell strung on bush string. Worn as an adornment during sing sings, sometimes traditionally traded as a form of shell currency. Smooth rounded edges with encrustations from extensive use; in excellent condition. A fine example of tribal jewellery. Mounted on a steel display stand.

Shell section width: 23 cm or 9 inches.
Price: SOLD

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