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Ernest Edwin Abbott 1888 – 1973A beautiful etching of an Australian Aboriginal in ceremonial dress. This etching was produced using a photograph taken by Spencer & Gillen from around 1910. In beautiful condition, an original art work acquired from the estate sale of Abbotts Grandson here in Melbourne. Framed. Etching Dimensions: 20 x 13.5 cm or 7.9 x 5.3 inches. |
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Artist: Lily Karedada, Born 1921A beautiful bark painting by the well known Artist Lily Karadada. known for her classic depictions of Wandjina spirits. Lily is in all major Australian private and institutional collections, as well as any significant collection of Aboriginal art internationally. Though she mainly uses acrylic paint on canvas these days, here we have an earlier example painted using natural ochre pigments on eucalyptus bark. We would presume this painting to have been executed in the 1980′s, it is in fine condition, with some very minor muting of the pigments and fine but stable splits on the bark. This is common with barks of this age. Dimensions: 65 x 38 cm or 25.6 x 15 inches. |
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Manam Island, Madang Province, Papua New GuineaA Manam Island “Tate” (pronounced tete) step ladder. These were once quite commonly used on Manam, and are unique to this region. Carved from the side of large old ocean going canoes, of which there are none these days, with the Islanders preferring to travel by dinghy. This example is truly ancient and has seen generations of use, as you can tell by the incredibly smooth edges where one would have gripped and the soft rounded surface of the steps. Once a step longer; with the bottom step long gone, the Tate then remained in use until I collected it on a recent field trip. These are incredibly rare these days, with many of the beautiful things on Manam destroyed in a recent volcanic eruption, and the Islanders now living scattered along the mainland coast in squalid “Care centres”. Heavily weathered smooth patina; circa 19th Century, in excellent condition. Custom mounted Height: 121 cm or 47.5 inches. |
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Manam Island, Madang Province, Papua New GuineaA fantastic stone and shell carved Manam Island kundu drum. The handle flanked by two individual masked faces, while the motif is deeply carved and bears stylised faces at each of the four ends, and amongst the motif several figures. There are six sections of raised pierced ridges for attachments, while the handle has a wonderful smooth glossy patina from generations of use. Applied red trade pigments, later in its life. Late 19th Century in perfect condition. Height: 59 cm or 23.25 inches. |
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Woodlark Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New GuineaAn large canoe prow ornament from Woodlark Island. Light wood with lovely openwork carving, with applied natural pigment decoration. Weathered patina from time at sea; in excellent conditon. Circa 1950′s; custom mounted. Height x Width: 58 x 28 cm or 22.75 x 11 inches. |
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Kiriwina Island, Trobriand Islands, Milne Bay Province, Papua New GuineaA beautiful Kiriwina Lime pot “Yaguma”, complete with its presentation basket “Pepei”. This pot would have once been the possession of a village Big man, the basket and gourd carried by his wife during important events. This example has seen generations of use, the decorative motif on the outside of the gourd worn smooth in many places and the pig tusk stopper boasting a fantastic golden honey patina. The basket is blackened and encrusted. Rare to find the complete set; in fantastic condition. Circa 1930′s. Gourd Diameter: 18 cm or 7 inches. |
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Sudest Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New GuineaA rare Sudest Island coconut container. Carved from a dwarf coconut, the entire outer surface with incised avian; and scrolling abstract motif. These containers reputedly hold shell money, used to this day in land and compensation payments. Traces of lime infill, and an all over glossy patina; in perfect condition. Early 20th Century. Custom mounted. Length: 7.5 cm or 3 inches. |
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Elema District, Papuan Gulf, Papua New GuineaA 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. Mid 20th Century. Custom mounted. Length: 11 cm or 4.5 inches. |
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Sudest Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New GuineaA group of three large Massim green stone presentation axe blades. 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. All are excellent examples with definite age. There are a few small nicks around the edges from time in the field; in otherwise perfect condition. 19th Century; all with custom mounts. Left to right: Lengths: 26, 28, 21 cm or 10.25, 11, 8.25 inches. |
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Trobriand Islands, Milne Bay Province, Papua New GuineaAn old Trobriand drum. Slender classic form the elegant curved handle rising from a medial ridge which terminates into two stylised frigate birds on either end, the handle flanked by two stylised fish or possibly grasshoppers. Extending down each side of the drum is classic incised abstract motif, some of which has been worn down from extensive use. The membrane is intact and gives a fantastic sound. Weathered varied patina in excellent condition. Early 20th Century; Unmounted. Length: 53.25 cm or 21 inches. |
