A Fine Kimberley “Longkalongka” Ornament – tc16

Category: Other Objects

Kimberley Region, Western Australia

A fine Aboriginal pearl shell ornament. Commonly known by their central Australian name as Longkalongka also spelt Lonka Lonka. These objects were originally made in the Kimberley region; where they are known as “Riji and Jakoli”. Traditionally traded, throughout Western Australia, the Northern Territory and South Australia. They serve a variety of purposes as personal adornments, also as ceremonial and magic objects. This example dates form the late 19th to early 20th century, has a beautiful linear design and is in excellent condition. Custom mounted.

Height: 18 cm or 7 inches.
Price: SOLD

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Fine Lower Ramu Kundu Drum – tc127

Category: Other Objects

Ramu River, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

An attractive Ramu Kundu Drum. In beautiful elongated hour-glass form the walls carved extremely thin. The handle which exhibits plenty of wear is decorated in classic masked faces. Traces of natural pigment decoration visible; while the membrane is present allowing the drum to be played. Circa 1940′s, Weathered patina in excellent condition.

Height: 68 cm or 27 inches.
Price: Australian$1100.00

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Tami Island Figural Kundu Drum – tc92

Category: Other Objects

Tami Island, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea

A wonderful Tami Island kundu drum. Beautifully carved in classical hour-glass form; the top and bottom sections bearing four raised, Janus ancestral faces and snakes running to the handle and openwork section on the reverse. Dark glossy applied natural pigment decoration; the lizard skin membrane intact. There are a couple of native repairs around the handle and the base of the drum using resin. In overall fine condition. Mid 20th Century.

Height: 74 cm or 29 inches
Price: SOLD

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Massim Mwali Armband Kula Exchange Object – tc93

Category: Other Objects

Vakuta Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

An elegant Massim “Mwali”; Kula trade object. Traditionally worn as an arm ornament. The large central conus shell ring, with 5 large egg-shell cowrie shell attachments. Beautifully adorned with glass beads in an almost spider web fashion, and four suspended seed attachments. These objects are important in the complex Kula system practised throughout parts of Milne Bay Province. Wonderful old encrusted patina on all of the shell’s; in excellent condition. Circa 1960′s, custom mounted.

Width of shell section: 22 cm or 8.6 inches.
Price:Sold

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Ancient Abelam Kundu Drum – tc102

Category: Other Objects

Maprik Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A very old and extremely well used Abelam Kundu drum. Carved in elegant hour-glass form. The top, base, and centre decorated in incised abstract motif, displaying remnant traces of natural pigments emerging from beneath the surface layers. While the handle bears two spirit faces almost worn down from playing. The lizard skin membrane is intact, complete with clawed reptilian feet and gives a suburb booming sound. Encrusted, glossy patina; with a couple of native repairs using resin on the base; in overall excellent condition. Early 20th Century

Height: 68 cm or 26.75 inches
Price: Australian$1200.00

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Decorated Solomon Islands Buka Ceremonial Canoe Paddle – tc85

Category: Other Objects

Buka, Bougainville Island

A fine Buka ceremonial paddle. The people of Buka, were champion seafarers and reputedly used these decorated paddles on special voyages of exploration, trading or head-hunting raids. This is a fine example with both sides of the paddle decorated with a carved and painted image of the spirit figure referred to as Roko. Early 20th Century, wonderful patina on the handle; in excellent condition. Custom mounted.

Height: 144 cm or 56.5 inches
Price: $3500.00 AUD

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Huge Ancient Abelam Yua Currency Ring – tc67

Category: Other Objects

Maprik Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A huge ancient Abelam Yua currency disc. Carved from a section of giant clam shell “tridacna gigus”. Traditionally used as currency in bride price payments throughout the Abelam region; still to this day. Incised linear motif representing a hornbill beak adorn the top section; with the later addition of red synthetic fibre attachment. These wealth objects are graded on both size and quality; and rest assured this example is definitely A grade. Smooth old handling patina, in excellent condition. Custom mounted. Circa 19th century.

Inside Diameter: 9 cm or 3.5 inches.
Outside Diameter: 25 cm or 9.5 inches.
Price:SOLD

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Abelam Kundu Drum – bf317

Category: Other Objects

Maprik Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

An elegant Abelam Kundu drum. Carved from dense wood in classic hourglass form. The centre and lower section highly decorated with curvilinear motif, while the handle bears two spirit faces, and a stylised parrot head on the bottom which has been carved through. Applied natural pigment decoration the lizard skin membrane intact. A great kundu with a fantastic sound; in excellent condition. Mid 20th Century.

Length: 48 cm or 19 inches
Price: $1000.00 AUD

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19th Century Trobriand Islands Drum – bf696

Category: Other Objects

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

A beautiful old Trobriand islands drum. Hard wood in long narrow form, the handle flanked by what appear to be two nurse sharks while there are stylised frigate birds on the each end of the raised central ridge. There are raised pierced ridges on the base for vegetal attachments added for important ceremonies. The lizard skin membrane intact, and there is a village repair on the handle using found copper wire. The wood displays a varied aged patina with a small area of stable surface rot on the reverse. In overall excellent condition Late 19th Century. Custom mounted.

Length: 68 cm or 26.75 inches
Price: $1500.00 AUD

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Fine Vanuatu Avian Canoe Prow – tc42

Category: Other Objects

Vanuatu / New Hebrides

A fine Vanuatu Avain canoe prow. Carved from hard blond light wood, apparently representing a Tern whose job it is to guide the canoe and sailors home safely. These prow’s are like personalised number plates on sports cars; and this example with the central ridge running from the open mouth through the body; would have once belonged to a man of high status. It has been adorned with incised linear motif along the back of the bird and ridge and outer edges of the central section. Overall excellent condition. Collected in the 1950′s, dating prior to this. Custom mounted.

Length: 60 cm or 23.5 inches
Price: SOLD

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