Fiji

An early Fijian rootstock club known as “Waka”. Carved from an extremely dark hard-wood, the the mace like end attained by keeping a short length of the taproot. This club has the original sinnet binding called “Vividrasa”, and therefore should be properly called “Waka Vividrasa”. A beautifully weighted club with only one real purpose….. Minor old loss evident on one of the rootstock protrusions, presumably from use, in overall excellent condition. Circa late 18th to early 19th Century, custom mounted.
Ex: J. Barzyk Collection, Illinois, United States.

Height: 100 cm or 39.1 inches.
Price: Australian$2700.00

Huon Gulf, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea

Three archaic stone club heads originating from the Huon Gulf. All with varied classic form, carved from a dark hard stone. The star shaped head, and the elliptical stone with ancient battle damage, while the round head is in perfect condition. These objects are becoming increasingly rare. 19th Century or earlier, custom mounted; in fine condition.

Widths: 9 – 12.5 cm or 3.5 – 5 inches
Price: Australian$950.00

Maprik Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A old and extremely rare Abelam war shield. (“Only one published example has been identified” – B. Craig – Shields of Melanesia) Carved in elongated rectangular form with a shallow backwards facing curve. The entire front surface covered in abstract curvilinear motif, bearing two spirit faces. This shield has seen plenty of battle as on the front side has forty or so spear holes, many of them displaying limbum spear tips from Abelam fighting spears. Now according to our knowledge there has been no major tribal fighting in this area since the 1930′s, and this shield had seen plenty of action before this. Minor loss evident on the top right edge weathered dry patina, in overall excellent condition. Late 19th to early 20th Century.

Reference – Shields of Melanesia, edited by Harry Beran and Barry Craig, Adelaide: Crawford House Publishing in association with the Oceanic Art Society, 2005, p. 92, fig. 4.27

Dimensions: 164 x 41 cm or 64.5 x 15.75 inches
Price: Price on Application

Fiji

A fine Fijian pole club, referred to as “Bowai”. Carved from a beautiful dark reddish hard wood the top half entirely encircled in decorative chevron motif. Commonly known as “tavatava”; and said to represent Fijian tattoos. This is an exceptional example with definite age dating from the late 19th Century. Dark glossy patina from extensive handling, with a small section of professional restoration to a chip on the upper rim; and barely noticeable. In overall excellent condition. Custom mounted.
Ex. Dirk Hudig Collection, New Zealand.

Height: 124 cm or 48.75 inches
Price: SOLD

Maprik Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A pair of Abelam cassowary bone daggers. Most likely ornamental objects as opposed to weapons due to the fragile nature of the “blades”. Both with claw-like terminals, and double pronged blades. One is considerably more refined than the other with decorative incised linear motif, and stylised bird heads adorning the claw, while the other has a small section of motif just below the claw. Smooth dark handling patina; in excellent condition. Custom mounted. Mid 20th Century.

Lengths: 23 & 28 cm or 9 & 11 inches.
Price: $550.00 AUD

Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory, Australia.

An old Tiwi Islands Ceremonial Club. Beautifully carved with an elegant open pronged tip, and decorated with natural ochres in cross-hatched motif. Weathered, with some slight muting of the pigments, in overall excellent condition. Early 20th Century; custom mounted.
Reputedly from the Dorothy Bennet Collection.

Height:61 cm or 24 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.
Ex: Hales Collection Melbourne.
Height: 43 cm or 17 inches.
Price:Sold