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Northern Queensland, AustraliaAn ancient Queensland Aboriginal water carrying vessel. Carved from tropical soft wood in deep stout form the outside surface still displaying remnant ochre decoration. Pierced on both tips to thread a bark fibre strap for carrying. Circa 1850′s; formerly belonging to the Richard Berry Collection Melbourne. Dimensions: 26 x 14 cm or 10.2 x 5.5 inches. |
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Central Australia, AustraliaA very old and well used Central Australian coolamon. Deeply textured inner and outer surfaces. The underside of the bowl much lighter than the inner surface from being used extensively on the sandy ground of Central Australia. Notably is a traditional spinafex resin repair to where the wood has worn through. Formerly belonging to the Richard Berry Collection Melbourne; in excellent condition. Circa 1850′s Dimensions: 53.5 x 22.5 cm or 21.1 x 8.9 inches. |
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Upper Ramu Valley, Eastern Highlands, Papua New GuineaThis ancient ceramic pot originates from the Upper Ramu Valley bordering with the Eastern Highlands. Wonderful tear shaped form, the entire outer surface and inside thickly encrusted with remnant foodstuffs. The opening with raised zigzagging ridge, and in places you can see incised linear motif which lies beneath the encrusted surface. 1940′s or earlier; in perfect condition. Custom mounted Height: 39 cm cm or 15.25 inches. |
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Collingwood Bay, Oro Province, Papua New GuineaThis large and impressive spatula is fashioned from black ebony. The handle with incised abstract motif, and pierced holes down one side for bagi shell attachments. A lot of the original lime infill still remains; and the tip is nicely betel stained. There is a native repair on the base of the handle to a split using tightly bound old fishing line, the whole piece with a glorious dark smooth handling patina. 1930′s custom mounted. Height: 44.5 cm cm or 17.5 inches. |
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Tami Island, Morobe Province, Papua New GuineaThis beautiful bowl we collected some years ago on Tami Island. It has a lovely deep avian form, the underside with a classic Huon ancestral face. Traces of limefill throughout the incised motif, with an all over dark shiny patina; in excellent condition. 1940′s; custom mounted Length: 64 cm cm or 25 inches. |
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Manam Island, Madang Province, Papua New GuineaA beautiful old betel mortar from Manam Island. The bowl supported by two classic masked faces surmounted by two flying fox heads on each tip. Incised linear motif around the bowl, base and central stem. The inside nicely betel encrusted. Smooth encrusted handling patina in truly wonderful condition. 1940′s Height: 11.5 cm or 4.5 inches. |
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Maprik Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New GuineaA fine Abelam sago peg. The terminal with a classic ancestral face. Hard wood, with traces of applied natural pigment decoration. All over dark encrusted patina, with some fine age splits on the face. In overall excellent condition. 1940′s; custom mounted Heights: 42 cm cm or 16.5 inches. |
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Huon Gulf, Morobe Province, Papua New GuineaA pair of traditional tuna fishing hooks. Both with clam shell stems, while the longer example has a very sharp hook carved from cassowary bone, the shorter one from turtle shell. The cassowary example has its original bush string binding while the turtle shell hook, has been restrung with nylon fishing string, long ago, the binding now exhibiting its yellowish patina from time spent in the sea. Both show signs of extensive use and are in fantastic condition. Circa 1930′s. Custom mounted Heights: 9 & 14 cm cm or 3.5 & 5.5 inches. |
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FijiAn old and extremely well used bark cloth “tapa” beater. Carved from heavy dense wood, the four flat sides used to beat the bark with incised linear striations. Deep glossy patina, in excellent condition. Collected by Captain T.C. Tilly 1860 – 1890 during his expeditions with Bishop John Patterson converting the Pacific natives to Christianity. Custom mounted. Length: 24 cm or 9.5 inches. |
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Collingwood Bay, Oro Province, Papua New GuineaA fine Collingwood Bay Lime Spatula. Carved from dark black ebony in large proportions, the handle with incised abstract motif on the front and reverse; and eight cut holes on the outer rim for attachments. All over smooth glossy handling patina, the tip with polished encrusted betel stain. Circa 1920′s in excellent condition. Custom mounted Height: 38 cm or 15 inches. |
