http://tribalcollective.com Sun, 20 Jul 2008 04:12:52 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en 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 ... http://tribalcollective.com/new-ireland-chalk-kulap-funery-figure-bf130/ 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 ... http://tribalcollective.com/massim-ebony-dagger-club-tc14/ 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 ... http://tribalcollective.com/important-double-faced-abelam-baba-mask-tc35/ 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. ... http://tribalcollective.com/kwoma-mindja-figure-tc20/ 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, ... http://tribalcollective.com/coastal-sepik-woven-war-ornament-bf570/ 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 ... http://tribalcollective.com/papuan-gulf-gope-board-tc21/ 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 ... http://tribalcollective.com/massim-wooden-gabaela-spatula-bf765/ 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 ... http://tribalcollective.com/gawa-island-canoe-splashboard-tc36/ 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 ... http://tribalcollective.com/papuan-gulf-magic-charm-%e2%80%9cmarupai%e2%80%9d-tc4/ 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. ... http://tribalcollective.com/19th-century-massim-sword-club-tc11/