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Kairiru Island, East Sepik Province, Papua New GuineaA charming Kairiru betel mortar. Carved from light hard wood, in shallow elongated form, with two of what we were informed are flying fox heads at each end. The outer surface of the bowl decorated with abstract motif, the inside nicely betel stained. Glossy handling patina, in excellent condition. Mid 20th Century Length: 15 cm or 6 inches. |
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D’Entrecasteaux Islands, Milne Bay Province, Papua New GuineaA fine and ancient Massim whale bone spatula. Elegant form, a row of pierced holes running along the upper rim for attaching bagi shell currency. Encrusted honey golden patina from extensive handling and use over time, the tip nicely betel stained. Circa 19th Century. Mounted on a custom steel display stand. Height: 25.5 cm or 10 inches. |
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Louisade Archipelago, Milne Bay Province, Papua New GuineaAn elegant Massim sago stirrer. Carved from ebony wood, with the entire stem and terminal decorated with carved motif. Rounded softened edges from handling with a dark glossy patina, in excellent condition. Circa late 19th to early 20th Century. Mounted on a custom steel display stand. Height: 63 cm or 24.75 inches. |
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Maprik area, East Sepik Province, Papua New GuineaAn old and beautiful Abelam coconut cup. Used during ceremonies to drink Yam soup. Highly carved on the outer surface in classic abstract motif with a stylised spirit figure in the centre wearing a ceremonial headdress. Fantastic glossy patina from extensive handling; in fine condition. Mounted on a custom steel display stand. Dimensions: 10.5 x 12 cm or 4.2 x 4.75 inches. |
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Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea.An old Southern Highlands Bamboo pipe. Used to smoke the local bush tobacco known as “Brus” The entire length beautifully decorated with incised and burnt motif with some applied natural pigment. This example has definitely seen plenty of use, and still has quite an odour, the pipe itself with a glossy surface patina. Circa Early 20th Century; in excellent condition. Length: 31.5 cm or 12.5 inches |
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Boiken People, Turubu Area, Papua New GuineaAn exceptional old Boiken feasting dish. Stone carved from hard wood in shallow form the underside bearing raised motif representing a stylised flying fox; a common totem figure from this area. The inside showing signs of extensive use. Weathered patina, with some evident loss caused by insects and a couple of minor age splits; in fine condition. Definitely on of the oldest and finest that we have handled in some time. Circa 19th Century. Diameter: 52 cm or 20.5 inches. |
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Boiken Area, East Sepik, Papua New GuineaA collection of three figural Boiken food implements. Two spatulas and one pounder; used in the production of sago, and taro, staples of the people of this region. All are carved from hard wood, with decorative figural terminals; coated in bush resin, giving the glossy black finish. All exhibit good signs of use; in excellent condition. Circa early to mid 20th Century. Individually mounted on steel display stands Heights (not including stands): 49 – 61 cm or 19.5 – 24 inches. |
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Kuminimbis Village, Maprik Area, Papua New GuineaAn Abelam ceramic ceremonial bowl. Used by young men awaiting initiation to eat yam soup from. Highly decorated with incised abstract motif, bearing two ancestor faces, with beautiful muted natural pigment decoration. Weathered and encrusted patina, in excellent condition. Circa mid 20th Century. Dimensions: 22 x 15 cm or 8.5 x 6 inches. |
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Ulupu Village, Maprik Area, Papua New GuineaAn old and extremely well used Abelam Buai mortar. Carved from hard wood, the front and rear surfaces covered in incised curvilinear motif; with pigment infill. Deep glossy patina from extensive use; the inside of the bowl nicely betel-stained. In fine condition. Height: 11 cm or 4.25 inches. |
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Yunguli Village, Pangia District, Southern Highlands, Papua New GuineaA Southern Highlands bilum bag. Woven bush string completely covered in cassowary feather attachments. Probably used by the previous owner for important occasions. In perfect condition. Dimensions: 63 x 39 cm or 25 x 15.5 inches. |
