Normanby Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

An interesting little Massim club. Carved in almost dagger like form from black ebony; the centre is decorated in typical Massim curvilinear incised motif, with a square cut hole on the butt end. Possibly intended for close combat, and extremely well balanced, with one of the glossiest almost mirror-like patina’s we have seen in some time. Mounted on a custom steel stand; in perfect condition. Early to Mid 20th Century.

Height: 44.5 cm or 17.5 inches.

Price: SOLD

Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

A beautiful old Massim sword club. Carved from a beautiful piece of black ebony; the distal end highly decorated in classic Massim motif with piercings on the butt and distal ends for attachments. One of the finest we have had on offer in some time. Deep glossy patina from generations of handling, in excellent condition. Mounted on a custom steel display stand.

Height: 70 cm or 27.5 inches.

Price: SOLD

East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A finely carved middle Sepik spear-thrower ornament. Used as a guide to physically direct the spear whilst being thrown, but also said to have magical powers to help the spear attain its target. Carved in zoomorphic form, possibly representing a Sepik Crocodile or maybe a freshwater shrimp. It exhibits great attention to detail including a pierced nose, often found on earlier examples. Warm glossy patina, early to mid 20th Century. Custom mounted

Length: 25 cm or 9.8 inches.

Price: Price on Application

Wosera District, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A Wosera figural spear tip. The palm wood stem and tip bearing three smirking faces. The stem of the spear has raised curvilinear motif with a touch of red “trade” paint, most likely a later addition. The tip covered in a kind of natural pigment mixed with tree resin giving a waxy appearance. Weathered and encrusted patina; in excellent condition. Mounted on a custom steel display stand.

Length: 108cm or 42.5 inches.

Price: Price on Application

Fijian Islands

A large and impressive Fijian rootstock war club known as “Vunikau”. Carved from a single piece of tree spcifically chosen for the root structure giving the distal end a more menacing effect from the raised protruberances. While the but end tapers out slightly to give extra grip, and is decorated with incised motif said to represent tattoo designs. The head on this beauty bears a sollem human tooth, a trophy from one of its victims. Beatufilly balanced, with only one true purpose………………….. Deep glossy patina, in excellent condition. Circa mid 19th Century. Mounted on a steel display stand.

Height: 118 cm or 46.5 inches.
Price:SOLD

South Australia.

A miniature South Australian Aboriginal broad shield. Carved from a single piece of eucalyptus bark and decorated with natural ochres and pipe clay with emu egg white as a fixitive. Quite an unusual object, with definite age, bearing an old label attached stating that the shield was “Made Lower Murray region. South Aust: by Gollan Seymour (Early 1930’s)”. Weathered patina with some evident; stable age splits in the bark, in fine condition. Mounted on a steel display stand.
Es: Hales Collection Melbourne.

Height: 43 cm or 17 inches.
Price:POA

Wahgi Valley, Western Highlands, Papua New Guinea

An old Waghi Valley war shield. Carved from hard wood in classic deeply curved form; and decorated with trade paint, and pecked motif; bearing the logo “PLP” on the front top. Beautiful wear from age and use on the pigments, with a nicely encrusted patina on both the front and reverse. Minor loss evident on the base; in excellent condition.

Height: 154 x 62 cm
Price: SOLD

Wahgi Valley, Western Highlands, Papua New Guinea

An old Waghi Valley war shield. Carved from heavy dense wood, and decorated with abstract designs in “trade” paint; bearing the motif “Waki Pis” in the centre. One of the tallest that we have seen in some time with fantastic curvature. On the reverse the traditional woven cane handles have been replaced with woven synthetic cord and western material; fixed with wire; and quite oddly an old steel handle. A fine example of an old shield being re-invented for the modern age. In excellent condition.

Dimensions: 176 x 62 cm or 66 x 24.5 inches.
Price: Price on Application

Highlands Region, Papua New Guinea.

An old Highlands war club. Carved from hard wood with a “pineapple” shaped distal end. Deep glossy handling patina with old loss to one of the ridges; in great condition.

Height: 93 cm or 36.5 inches
Price: $550.00 AUD

Maprik Area, Papua New Guinea

An old palmwood war club of unusual form. Almost “sword” like, with decorative incised motifs on the butt end and on the mid-section, and raised notches running down the entirety of the distal end. Traces of pigments are visible on the decorative motifs. Old dark glossy patina with some old loss to the palmwood grain on the reverse, in excellent condition. Circa mid 20th Century.
Ex: Leo Fleischmann collection. (LF/C97)

Length: 103 cm or 40.5 inches
Price: $650.00 AUD