Fergusson Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

A fine Massim lime spatula. The flat rectangular handle highly decorated in classic incised curvilinear motif, framed by two bands of triangular motif on the top and bottom; while there are cut out holes on the top of the handle for shell and seed attachments. Remnant lime infill, and the tip is nicely betel stained. The interlocking scrolls on this spatula bear a striking similarity to those on a carving of a pig, found in Harry Berans book ‘Massim Tribal Art – Papua New Guinea’. – see fig 129 on pg 44. (Woolongong City Gallery, 1980.) We wonder then, whether this is a classic style of motif which can be attributed to Fergusson Island of the D’entrecasteaux group where we collected this piece.. Dark glossy handling patina; in excellent condition. Custom mounted. Early 20th Century

Height: 37.5 cm or 14.75 inches.
Price: Australian$700.00

Huon Gulf, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea

An old and time worn Huon Gulf food scoop. These ornamented ladles are used on special occasions to serve pudding known as “pollom”. This is a fine example, with a classic ancestor figure in relief adorning the bridge, complete with raised openwork ears on each side, the reverse with incised abstract motif. The handle terminates in a stylised crocodile head with old loss, which may have been another carved figure. Deep glossy handling patina, in overall excellent condition. Early 20th Century. Custom Mounted.
Ex C. Howarth Collection. Melbourne.
Ex S. Teves Collection Melbourne.

Length: 63 cm or 24.8 inches
Price: Australian$850.00

Huon Gulf, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea

An old Huon Gulf ceremonial bowl. Carved from dense wood in large proportions; deep oval form; with two avian carvings projecting from each end. The side flanked by two classic ancestor figures that appear to be guarding the bowl. Remnant lime infill on the birds and figures. Deep glossy patina. In excellent condition. Early 20th Century.

Length: 52 cm or 20.5 inches
Price:SOLD

Huon Gulf, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea

A Huon Gulf canoe splash board. Well carved from heavy dense wood. Carved on both the front and reverse; the top section with decorative figural motif of either stylised birds or possibly grasshoppers; a face in the centre of the board, and incised linear motif. Traces of pigments still visible. Weathered from time at sea, with minor loss evident to the very tip of the carving; in overall great condition. Custom Mounted. Mid 20th Century.

Dimensions: 71 x 33 cm or 28 x 13 inches.
Price: $750.00 AUD

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

A group of three pig bone lime spatulas. Used as an everyday utilitarian object in the process of chewing betel; which the Trobriand Islanders are completely mad about. All three display a deep rich golden handling patina from extensive use, and have nicely betel stained tips. Early to mid 20th Century. Custom mounted.

Lengths: 19 cm or 7 – 7.5 inches
Price: $400.00 AUD

Kuminimbis Village, Maprik Area, Papua New Guinea

A beautiful old Abelam lime gourd complete with an adorned cassowary bone lime stick. The calabash has been manipulated while being grown into an elongated vessel and decorated with pyro-incised abstract motif. While the Cassowary bone lime stick has fantastic handling patina; and is adorned with a woven stopper; a single dog tooth and small band of shell discs. Dark old handling patina; in excellent condition.Circa early to mid 20th Century. Custom mounted.

Height: 43 cm or 20.8 inches.
Price: $450.00 AUD

Nakuma People, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A wonderful avian sago implement. Used in the production of sago, a staple of the people of this region of the upper Sepik. Carved from hard wood in what could only be described as avian form and highly decorated with abstract motif and facial features. Dark aged patina; with a stable age split running up one side. 1940′s. Custom mounted.

Ex Howarth Collection Melbourne (CH 46).

Height: 54 cm or 21.25 inches.
Price:Sold

Maprik Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A pair of old and well used cassowary bone objects. A lime stick and dagger. The lime stick with linear motif and openwork section on the tip; while the dagger has a classic Abelam figure carved on the front side. Both have a dark smooth patina from extensive handling over time and are in excellent condition. Mid 20th Century. Custom Mounted.

Heights: 28 & 28 cm or 11 & 11 inches.
Price: $500.00 AUD

Mendi Area, Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

A well used and loved Tobacco pipe from the Southern Highlands. Carved in wonderful zoomorphic form; decorated with red pigment on the inside of the mouth and linear motif on the stem. Deep honey glossy patina from extensive handling; in excellent condition. Custom mounted.

Length: 22 cm or 8.5 inches.
Price: SOLD

Ferguson Island, Milne Bay Province Province, Papua New Guinea

An elegant old Massim feasting bowl. Beautifully carved in shallow form the outer and top rim decorated in classic abstract motif, with two large “Janus” frigate birds raising from one edge. Weathered from time in the field, with native repairs using nylon to a couple of old splits on the rim. Displays beautifully on its custom stand. Circa 19 Century.

Diameter: 61 cm or 24 inches.
Price: Sold