tribal collective » Other Objects

Ancient Manam “Tate” Step ladder – tc174

joel — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:50:41 +0000

Manam Island, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

A 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.

Price: Australian $3500.00

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Manam Island Stone Carved Kundu Drum – tc162

joel — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:19:54 +0000

Manam Island, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

A 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.

Price: Australian $2200.00

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Large Woodlark Island Canoe Prow Ornament – tc164

joel — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:40:28 +0000

Woodlark Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

An 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.

Price: Sold

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Fine Kiriwina Lime Gourd with Presentation Basket – tc170

joel — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:25:19 +0000

Kiriwina Island, Trobriand Islands, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

A 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.
Basket Diameter: 26 cm or 10.25 inches

Price: Sold

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Rare Massim Coconut Container Sudest Island – tc155

joel — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 01:24:23 +0000

Sudest Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

A 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.

Price: Australian$1300.00

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Papuan Gulf Magic Charm “Marupai” – tc145

joel — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:56:13 +0000

Elema District, Papuan Gulf, 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. Mid 20th Century. Custom mounted.

Length: 11 cm or 4.5 inches.

Price: Sold

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Group of 3 Massim Presentation Axe Blades – tc156

joel — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:08:05 +0000

Sudest Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

A 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.
Left to right Prices: Australian$850.00, $900.00, $750.00

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Massim Drum Trobriand Islands – tc161

joel — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 06:25:15 +0000

Trobriand Islands, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

An 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.

Price: Sold

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Early Sudest Presentation Currency Axe – tc140

joel — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:11:11 +0000

Sudest Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

An old large and very impressive Sudest Island presentation axe. These fine objects are a status or trade object rather than a utilitarian axe. The beautiful greenstone blade is fixed into the highly elaborate wooden handle by bark fibre binding. Wonderful avian motif on the bottom of the handle the back edge and top tip of the wooden handle which has been decorated with green and white “trade” pigments. Weathered patina; in perfect condition. Early 20th Century; Custom mounted.

Height: 105 cm or 41 inches.

Price: Australian $2200.00

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Fine Bougainville Figurative Staff – tc118

joel — Wed, 20 May 2009 07:24:54 +0000

Bougainville Island, North Solomons

A fine Bougainville staff. The front with a large and beautiful naturalistic figure seemingly floating before the stem. The figure with a classic elongated domed head and great attention to the facial details, the arms and legs carved through, making the figure seem a completely different entity all to itself. Linear carved motif around the neck and waist, above the elbows and below the knees representative of either tattoo’s or perhaps jewellery. All over deep glossy patina; in perfect condition. Late 19th Century; custom mounted.

Staff Height: 100 cm or 39.5 inches
Figure Height: 32 cm or 12.5 inches

Price: Price on Application

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