tribal collective

New Ireland Chalk “Kulap” Funery Figure - bf130

joel — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:14:45 +0000

New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea

These figures play an important role in the complex funeral ceremonies of the people of this region. Carved to represent the deceased relative, and kept in a sacred house or shrine, they are said to embody the spirit of the deceased. Once the ceremony is completed and the spirit has left the Kulap to join other ancestors, they are taken away; broken and either discarded into the bush or sold. This example has a wonderful carved face, and two sections of loss behind the figure where there would have possibly been other figures. Old surface encrustations, in fine condition. Mounted on a custom made glossy hard wood base. Late 19th to early 20th Century.

Height: 29 cm or 11.5 inches.

Price: Price on Application

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Massim Ebony Dagger Club - tc14

joel — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 06:34:44 +0000

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

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Important Double Faced Abelam Baba Mask - tc35

joel — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 06:17:44 +0000

Maprik Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A fantastic example of this style of woven mask. Made particularly interesting by the second backwards facing face. Extremely well woven with raised mouths, and ears, and coiled frames around the faces and along the ridges of the nose. Wearing a cassowary feather headdress, and beautifully decorated with natural pigments. Smokey dark patina from time spent in storage in the “hauskuk” , in excellent condition. Mounted on a custom display stand. Mid 20th Century.

Dimensions: 63 x 50 x 26 cm or 24.5 x 19.5 x 10.25 inches.

Price: Price on Application

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Kwoma Mindja Figure - tc20

joel — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 06:03:54 +0000

Washkuk Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A striking old Mindja figure. In tall elongated form, with a deeply recessed face and long protruding pierced nose. Cut out eyes, and raised open mouth, beautifully decorated in black, white and red natural pigments; which are layers deep indicating repeated ceremonial use. Weathered and encrusted patina with minor loss to the raised ridges on the bottom section, and a small hole hidden behind the nose; in overall excellent condition. Early to mid 20th Century. Custom mounted.

Height: 146 cm or 57.5 inches.

Price: Price on Application

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Coastal Sepik Woven War Ornament - bf570

joel — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 05:09:25 +0000

North Coast, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A woven coastal Boiken ornament. Skilfully woven split cane structure, with introduced wire probably from electrical cable in stylised crocodile form. This wire would have replaced cassowary quills, and is a fine display of Melanesian adaptation to modern materials. Nassa shell fringing, and two larger cowrie shells on either side. Worn traditionally in the mouth clamped between the teeth during warfare, however these days more often as an adornment during sing sings. Mounted on a custom stand. Mid 20th Century.

Width: 21 cm or 8.25 inches.
Length: 14 cm or 5.5 inches

Price: Price on Application

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Papuan Gulf Gope Board - tc21

joel — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 04:22:54 +0000

Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea

An older and extremely beautiful Papuan Gulf Gope Board. This particular example was collected at the headwaters of the Aria River between Biamaru and Kikori and is know as “Kwoi” in the local language. It has fantastic open form of the carving around the face and stylised body of the figure. Decorated with natural pigments. Weathered patina with some muting of the pigments, and evident insect depredation, which is now stable, and actually adds to the appeal. On the reverse is some charring on the top of the board. In overall fantastic condition. Mid 20th Century.

Height: 140 cm or 55 inches.

Price: Price on Application

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Massim Wooden Gabaela Spatula - bf765

joel — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 04:07:28 +0000

Louisiade Archipelago, Milne Bay Province,, Papua New Guinea

An important Massim spatula. These fine pieces are actually a presentation scepter or wealth object rather than a utilitarian spatula, displaying the important bagi shell currency attachments. This example has only a few of its bagi discs remaining, and uses early glass trade beads a substitutes. Wonderfully carved with two stylised frigate birds at the centre. Varied weathered patina; with minor loss evident at each tip. Early to mid 20th Century. Mounted on a custom display stand. .

Height: 37 cm or 14.5 inches.
Width: 25 cm or 9.8 inches

Price: SOLD

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Gawa Island Canoe Splashboard - tc36

joel — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 01:45:10 +0000

Gawa Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

A vibrant Gawa Island canoe splashboard. Carved from dense wood, the top section with wonderful incised and openwork abstract motif, while the body of the board is covered in classic Massim serpent motif. The front surface with applied “trade” pigments some of which has weathered away from time at sea. There is a village repair to a split on the top using nylon fishing line, and some muting of the pigments from time in the sea. In overall excellent condition. Mounted on a custom steel stand..

Dimensions: 72 x 59 cm or 28.25 x 23.25 inches.

Price:Price on Applictaion

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Papuan Gulf Magic Charm “Marupai” - tc4

joel — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 01:31:05 +0000

Kikori Dirstict, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea

A Papuan Gulf Marupai. These small ornamented magic charms are skilfully carved from dwarf coconuts, this one has a great “Gope” face with natural pigment infill. They serve as a protective or hunting charm, and are highly valued by people of the Gulf. Shiny patina; in excellent condition. Circa early to mid 20th Century. Mounted on a custom steel display stand.

Length: 9 cm or 3.5 inches.

Price: Price on Application

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19th Century Massim Sword Club - tc11

joel — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 07:24:40 +0000

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

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