The collection of New Guinea tribal artifacts began in the late 19th century during the period of European colonialism and exploration of the region. Many early collectors were anthropologists, missionaries, or colonial administrators who were interested in documenting the diverse cultures and societies of the region.

The first known collector of New Guinea tribal artifacts was Sir William MacGregor, the Governor of British New Guinea from 1895 to 1898. MacGregor was an avid collector of artifacts and ethnographic objects, and he acquired a large collection of New Guinea tribal artifacts during his time in the region. He was followed by other collectors, including the American anthropologist Margaret Mead, who conducted extensive fieldwork in the region in the early 20th century and amassed a significant collection of artifacts.

During the early 20th century, many New Guinea tribal artifacts were acquired by museums and private collectors in Europe and North America. These more...

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A collection of carved wood oceanic and tribal objects,…

Wood Oceanic and Tribal Carvings: Massim, African, Rustic Bowl

A collection of carved wood oceanic and tribal objects, comprising a Massim carved wood twin handled bowl, Papua New Guinea, a carved wood standing figure, African and a large rustic style bowl, the figure 56 cm high

A collection of carved wood spirit figures, Papua New Guinea,…

Papua New Guinea Wood Spirit Figures Collection

A collection of carved wood spirit figures, Papua New Guinea, comprising a Middle Ramu figure, a food hook and a pigment painted souvenir mask, Middle Sepik River, the largest figure 91 cm high

Duk Duk figure, carved wood and natural fibre with painted…

New Ireland Duk Duk Figure: Carved Wood and Natural Fibre

Duk Duk figure, carved wood and natural fibre with painted finish, New Ireland origin, 47 cm high

Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, stylized ancestor…

Papua New Guinea Paddle with Ancestor Figures

Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, stylized ancestor figures painted with dark pigment are displayed on one side of the blade. 193 cm length, collection of John Perkins

Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, ebonised with the…

Ramu River Ancestor Paddle: John Perkins Collection

Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, ebonised with the blade displaying a stylized ancestor figure with a carved throat. 151 cm length, collection of John Perkins

Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, displaying stylized…

Papua New Guinea Ancestor Paddle

Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, displaying stylized ancestor figures painted with dark pigment on both sides of the blade. Both the throat and grip are carved. 172 cm length, collection of John Perkins

Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, stylized ancestor…

Papua New Guinea Paddle with Ancestor Figures, John Perkins Collection

Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, stylized ancestor figures painted with dark pigment are displayed on one side of the blade. 162 cm length, collection of John Perkins

A Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, displaying stylized…

Papua New Guinea Ancestor Paddle: Stylized Design

A Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, displaying stylized ancestor figures painted with dark pigment to one side of the blade and carved geometric pattern to the handle, height 179 cm

A Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, displaying stylized…

Papua New Guinea Ancestor Paddle: Stylized Ramu River Art

A Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, displaying stylized ancestor figures painted with dark pigment to one side of the blade, height 157 cm

A Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, displaying stylized…

Papua New Guinea Ramu River Paddle with Ancestor Figures

A Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, displaying stylized ancestor figures painted with dark pigment to one side of the large blade, height 179 cm

A large Timbuwarra, the woven cane figure with outstretched…

Timbuwarra: Woven Cane Figure from Thangai, Papua New Guinea

A large Timbuwarra, the woven cane figure with outstretched arms. Decorated in earth coloured pigments and lime in colours of black, orange and old ivory, the face set with small shelves. Thangai, Papua New Guinea, height 95 cm.

A large wooden Papua New Guinea wooden hook male figure relief…

Papua New Guinea Wooden Hook Figure with Bird Carving

A large wooden Papua New Guinea wooden hook male figure relief carved with bird to forehead. 28 x 135 cm

Papua New Guinea, Sepik River, hard wood figure, with shell…

Sepik River Hardwood Figure with Shell Eyes on Metal Stand

Papua New Guinea, Sepik River, hard wood figure, with shell eyes, set on metal stand, height 26 cm and 33 cm (including stand)

Papua New Guinea, Sepik figure, decorated with hair and shells,…

Sepik Figure with Hair and Shells on Stand, 29cm

Papua New Guinea, Sepik figure, decorated with hair and shells, a/f (feet missing), set on stand, height 29 cm and 38 cm (including stand)

Papua New Guinea, Sepik carved figure, depicted standing with…

Sepik Carved Figure on Stand: Papua New Guinea Art

Papua New Guinea, Sepik carved figure, depicted standing with hands by side, set on stand, height 18.5 cm and 20 cm (including stand)

Papua New Guinea lower Sepik River ancestral figure, depicting…

Lower Sepik River Ancestral Figure: Standing with Beak Nose

Papua New Guinea lower Sepik River ancestral figure, depicting a standing figure with headdress, with beak nose and arms by side, on oval foot, height 40 cm

Papua New Guinea Sepik River ancestral figure, of handsome…

Sepik River Ancestral Figure: Standing Female with Bird Headdress

Papua New Guinea Sepik River ancestral figure, of handsome proportions, depicting a standing female figure, with bird at feet and one perched on back of headdress, painted in natural tones pigments of mustard, black and ochre, height 96 cm

An ancestral figure, carved wood, hair, shell and fibre with…

Papua New Guinea Ancestral Figure: Carved Wood and Shell

An ancestral figure, carved wood, hair, shell and fibre with remains of ochre finish, Papua New Guinea, 46 cm high

A female ancestral figure, Sepik River, Papua New Guinea, the…

Sepik River Ancestral Figure: Ornate Female Ancestor Sculpture

A female ancestral figure, Sepik River, Papua New Guinea, the standing figure with cowrie shell eyes inset to a red and black painted oversize head surmounted by a bird, with draping fibre ornaments extending from the ears and nose, leading to an exposed…

Papua New Guinea Sepik River orator's chair. Older, tall,…

Papua New Guinea Sepik River Orator's Chair: Carved Flute Player

Papua New Guinea Sepik River orator's chair. Older, tall, carved seated figure playing a flute, tusk, shell and plaited fibre decoration, height 189 cm

Papua New Guinea Trobriand Islands carved and lime inlaid…

Lime Inlaid Trobriand Islands Hardwood Figure (H28 cm)

Papua New Guinea Trobriand Islands carved and lime inlaid hardwood figure. (H28 cm

A large male ancestral figure, Upper Sepik River, of standing…

Powerful Ancestral Figure: Upper Sepik River Artwork

A large male ancestral figure, Upper Sepik River, of standing form, the bald painted face with a pointed nose and flaring nostrils above stylized bared pointed teeth, his upper arms carved with horned armbands, the chest with a raised breastplate, wearing…

A small orator's stool, Middle Sepik River Region, Papua New…

Sepik River Ancestral Stool: Exquisite Orator's Art from Papua Guinea

A small orator's stool, Middle Sepik River Region, Papua New Guinea, the ancestral figure with applied clay patterning the enlarged face and cowrie shell eyes, bordered by money cowrie shells, feathers protruding from the head and chin, woven rattan…

A large flying fox cult spirit figure, possibly Iatmul, Middle…

Sepik River Flying Fox Cult Figure: Adorned Spirit Sculpture

A large flying fox cult spirit figure, possibly Iatmul, Middle Sepik River, New Guinea, with woven fibre, bead, cowrie shell and feather adornments, figural basket hook to base, 167 cm high, 68 cm wide

A large Washkuk totem together with a painted and pierced…

Sepik River Totem and Spirit Figure: New Guinea Art

A large Washkuk totem together with a painted and pierced spirit figure, both Sepik River, New Guinea, the totem 304 cm long

A New Guinea terracotta totem figure, Sepik River, the seated…

Seated Crocodile Totem: New Guinea Terracotta Figure from Sepik River

A New Guinea terracotta totem figure, Sepik River, the seated figure with a crocodile headdress seated on a spherical base, height 37 cm. Provenance: Esplanade Auctions, sale 2297, lot 175

Ancestral spirit figure, carved wood, shell, natural earth…

Papua New Guinea Ancestral Spirit Figure

Ancestral spirit figure, carved wood, shell, natural earth pigments and fibre, Papua New Guinea origin, collected by John Lean Pender, an Australian ex-pat living in New Guinea in the 1930s and 40s who returned to Australia in 1942 upon the Japanese…

Papua New Guinea, Gogodala, figure of man, arms raised, painted…

Gogodala Man Figure with Raised Arms

Papua New Guinea, Gogodala, figure of man, arms raised, painted with black, white and ochre, a/f to left hand, height 132 cm and width 58 cm Provenance: Ex-Crawford and Ex-Palmer collection.

Papua New Guinea, Sepik, spirit ancestor figure height 19 cm

Sepik Spirit Ancestor Figure: 19cm

Papua New Guinea, Sepik, spirit ancestor figure height 19 cm

Papua New Guinea, New Britain, Duk Duk figure, painted in…

Duk Duk Figure from Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea, New Britain, Duk Duk figure, painted in yellow, white and red, height 45 cm

New Guinea, Asmat, canoe prow, carved with figures and birds,…

Asmat Canoe Prow with Carved Figures and Birds

New Guinea, Asmat, canoe prow, carved with figures and birds, length 83 cm

Papua New Guinea, Sepik River, hard wood figure, depicted…

Sepik River Hardwood Figure

Papua New Guinea, Sepik River, hard wood figure, depicted standing with knees bent and head turned, height 41 cm

Papua New Guinea, Sepik River, hard wood figure, with shell…

Sepik River Hardwood Figure with Shell Eyes on Metal Stand

Papua New Guinea, Sepik River, hard wood figure, with shell eyes, set on metal stand, height 26 cm and 33 cm (including stand)

Solomon Buka Island man & Mary figures, beautiful old stylised…

19th Century Solomon Buka Island Couple Portrait Figures

Solomon Buka Island man & Mary figures, beautiful old stylised realistic portrait figures of a lady and man,19th century hair style, in black with red hair, height 52 cm and 59 cm (2)

Papua New Guinea, Sepik River, hard wood figure, depicted…

Sepik River Hardwood Figure on Stand

Papua New Guinea, Sepik River, hard wood figure, depicted standing with arms to side, set on stand, height 21 cm and 22 (including stand)

Papua New Guinea, Sepik figure, decorated with hair and shells,…

Sepik Figure with Hair and Shells on Stand

Papua New Guinea, Sepik figure, decorated with hair and shells, a/f (feet missing), set on stand, height 29 cm and 38 cm (including stand)

Papua New Guinea, Ramu River, canoe Mast Stanchion an old and…

Ramu River Canoe Mast Stanchion with Human Figure Peg

Papua New Guinea, Ramu River, canoe Mast Stanchion an old and used rigging stanchion from a small Ramu River outrigger canoe, main arm 38 cm, peg with human figure 25 cm, overall dimensions 58 cm x 31 cm, catalogue note: These Y-shaped stanchions were…

Papua New Guinea, Sepik carved figure, depicted standing with…

Sepik Carved Figure on Stand

Papua New Guinea, Sepik carved figure, depicted standing with hands by side, set on stand, height 18.5 cm and 20 cm (including stand)

A middle Sepik River 'Yetchen' ancestral figure carved in…

Sepik River Ancestral Crocodile Hunter Figure

A middle Sepik River 'Yetchen' ancestral figure carved in honour of a crocodile hunter, Papua New Guinea, 202 cm high

A Papua New Guinea Sepik River standing figure, blackened wood…

Sepik River Standing Figure with Shell Eyes

A Papua New Guinea Sepik River standing figure, blackened wood with shell eyes, raised on a circular plinth, 82 cm height

A Papua New Guinea suspension hook figure, 103 cm height

Papua New Guinea Suspension Hook Figure - 103cm

A Papua New Guinea suspension hook figure, 103 cm height

Papua New Guinea Sepik River figure, pigment painted and carved…

Sepik River Relief Figure

Papua New Guinea Sepik River figure, pigment painted and carved in low relief, 56 cm length

Papua New Guinea Sepik River figure, the standing figure with…

Sepik River Standing Figure with Clay Face and Adornments

Papua New Guinea Sepik River figure, the standing figure with over modeled clay face with orange painted pigment decoration, adorned with shell and plaited raffia, 48 cm height

A Papua New Guinea male standing figure, carved wood with…

Papua New Guinea Male Standing Figure with Cowrie Shell Eyes

A Papua New Guinea male standing figure, carved wood with cowrie shell eyes, 74 cm height

Standing Papua New Guinea figure, with shells and boar tusk…

Papua New Guinea Figure with Shell and Boar Tusk Embellishment

Standing Papua New Guinea figure, with shells and boar tusk embellishment, 67 cm height

A Papua New Guinea roof gable figure, raku fired clay…

Raku Fired Papua New Guinea Gable Figure

A Papua New Guinea roof gable figure, raku fired clay avian/anthropomorphic sitting figure surmounted on an ovoid base. Aibom village, Chambri lakes, East Sepik, 40.5 cm height

A mythological figure from, Papua New Guinea, raku fired…

Papua New Guinea Mythical Figure with Cassowary Bird

A mythological figure from, Papua New Guinea, raku fired sitting figure surmounted by a cassowary bird. Black and Kaolin pigments. Aibom village, Chambri lakes. Damaged and repaired, 35 cm height

Male and female figures, Papua New Guinea, raku fired clay.…

Papua New Guinea Raku Fired Clay Figures

Male and female figures, Papua New Guinea, raku fired clay. Dimiri village, East Sepik District, 20 cm height

A Papua New Guinea Ramu River house board, flat wood board with…

Ramu River Anthropomorphic Board

A Papua New Guinea Ramu River house board, flat wood board with incised anthropomorphic figure, with painted kaolin and ochre pigments. Multiple piercings for suspension, 99 cm height

A Papua New Guinea mask and figure, a carved wood Ramu River…

Papua New Guinea Wood Carvings and Mask

A Papua New Guinea mask and figure, a carved wood Ramu River flute mask with painted black, red and Kaolin pigments, and a Romkun figure, 39 cm, 40 cm height

A large Papua New Guinea Ramu River house board, carved wood…

Anthropomorphic Ramu River House Board with Painted Relief

A large Papua New Guinea Ramu River house board, carved wood depicting an anthropomorphic figure in relief, painted with black, red and kaolin pigments. Collected in 1972. Some losses.

Seven small Papua New Guinea Ramu River standing figures,…

Mythical Wood Figures from Papua New Guinea's Ramu River

Seven small Papua New Guinea Ramu River standing figures, carved wood mythological spirit figures. Madang Province.

Seven small Papua New Guinea Ramu River standing figures,…

Ramu River Mythological Spirit Figures

Seven small Papua New Guinea Ramu River standing figures, carved wood mythological spirit figures. Madang Province.

A Papua New Guinea Ramu River house board and mask, carved wood…

Ramu River House Board and Mask

A Papua New Guinea Ramu River house board and mask, carved wood figures from the Madang Province. Some losses. Collected in 1972, 80 cm, 75 cm height

A Papua New Guinea carved bone container, decorative band down…

Carved Bone Container with Seated Figure Stopper

A Papua New Guinea carved bone container, decorative band down the front, with the stopper in the form of a seated figure, wood base and top. Provenance: Private Collection, height 24 cm.

A Maprik yam figure, Papua New Guinea, this figure is carved…

Maprik Yam Figure: Boldly Coloured Wood Carving

A Maprik yam figure, Papua New Guinea, this figure is carved from a single piece of wood. It has been heavily coloured in natural pigments such as ochre and kaolin to give the figure its bold appearance. Length 70 cm, width 21 cm, depth 17 cm

A wood carved board, Papua New Guinea, depicting a figure with…

Hornbill Figure Wood Carving from Papua New Guinea

A wood carved board, Papua New Guinea, depicting a figure with surrounding hornbills. With open work detailing to the board. The carving is densely decorated with natural pigments in tones of brown, red, black, and white. Length 66 cm, width 36 cm

An ancestral figure carving, Trobriand Islands, Papua New…

Trobriand Islands Ancestral Female Figure Carving

An ancestral figure carving, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea, 20th century. Carved from a single piece of wood and coloured with a rich brown patina. The figure depicts a female wearing a conical hat and a girdle. The figure stands in a closed posture…

A figure, Minidimbit Region, Papua New Guinea, carved from a…

Papua New Guinea Wood Carving

A figure, Minidimbit Region, Papua New Guinea, carved from a light-weight wood. This figure has a large head with raised and sunken relief for detailing. The arms, torso, and legs of the figure are slender and long. The figure has a tried dried palm fibre…

A middle Sepik River ancestral figure mask, Papua New Guinea,…

Sepik Ancestral Figure Mask with Elaborate Carvings

A middle Sepik River ancestral figure mask, Papua New Guinea, squatting figure raised on a curvilinear triangle, elbows resting on the thighs, elongated nose reaches the base, imposing headdress, body shaped as another ancestral figure, rattan structure…

A skull rack, Bamu river, Papua New Guinea, skull racks are…

Papua New Guinea Skull Rack

A skull rack, Bamu river, Papua New Guinea, skull racks are used for the display of skulls of fallen foe. Carved from a light wood, this skull rack depicts an anthropomorphic figure, the negative space between the arms and torso creates a space for ropes…

Papua New Guinea Timbuwarra figure, the Timbuwarra, is a type…

Wiru Timbuwarra Fertility Figure

Papua New Guinea Timbuwarra figure, the Timbuwarra, is a type of ritual figure produced by the Wiru people of the Southern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. Timbuwarra figures are generally made of rattan and May serve several functions, although…

A Massim carved wood figure group, Trobriand Islands, Papua New…

Trobriand Islands Massim Carved Wood Figure Group

A Massim carved wood figure group, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea, 19.5 cm high, 40 cm long

A woven bird figure, Abelam tribe, East Sepik Province, Papua…

Abelam Woven Bird Figure with Missing Leg

A woven bird figure, Abelam tribe, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, a beautifully crafted and painted 3-dimensional bird, with large wings, and one leg, it is in the transitional stage of becoming a 'Bird of paradise'. Probably related to yam…

Figure, probably Papua New Guinea a hardwood ancestral bust,…

Trobriand Islands Ancestral Hardwood Bust

Figure, probably Papua New Guinea a hardwood ancestral bust, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea, height 15 cm, width 9 cm

An old Mortlock Islands ancestral figure, height 46 cm, width…

Mortlock Islands Ancestral Figure: 46 cm Height

An old Mortlock Islands ancestral figure, height 46 cm, width 12.5 cm

A ceremonial figure from the top of a headdress, Southern New…

New Britain Headdress Figure

A ceremonial figure from the top of a headdress, Southern New Britain, Papua New Guinea, ochres, shells and natural earth pigments on wood. Provenance: Caspian gallery, Sydney, height 46 cm

A large ancestral figure, Asmat Region, West Papua, height 208…

208 cm Ancestral Figure from West Papua

A large ancestral figure, Asmat Region, West Papua, height 208 cm

A large hook in the form of an ancestral figure, Sepik River,…

Sepik River Ancestral Figure Hook

A large hook in the form of an ancestral figure, Sepik River, Papua New Guinea, height 135 cm

A large long nosed ancestral figure, Kanangra village,…

Long-Nosed Ancestral Figure from Papua New Guinea

A large long nosed ancestral figure, Kanangra village, Blackwater river, Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea, on custom wooden base, height 151 cm

A large ancestral figure in the form of a cult hook, Blackwater…

Ancestral Cult Hook from Papua New Guinea

A large ancestral figure in the form of a cult hook, Blackwater river, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, condition: some cracks, height 168 cm, width 12 cm

An unusual ancestral figure, Kwoma people, upper Sepik River,…

Polychrome Ancestral Figure from Kwoma People, Papua New Guinea

An unusual ancestral figure, Kwoma people, upper Sepik River, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, with striking polychrome design using natural ochres, height 141 cm, width 46 cm

An ancestral figure, Sepik River, East Sepik Province, Papua…

Sepik River Ancestral Figure: 153cm of Papua New Guinea History

An ancestral figure, Sepik River, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, height 153 cm, width 19 cm

A fine ancestral figure, Abelam people, Maprik Region, Papua…

Abelam Ancestral Figure from Papua New Guinea

A fine ancestral figure, Abelam people, Maprik Region, Papua New Guinea, height 157 cm, width 14 cm

A Bioma figure, Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea, height 127 cm,…

Papuan Gulf Bioma Figure: 127cm x 40cm

A Bioma figure, Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea, height 127 cm, width 40 cm

A fine ancestral figure, Abelam people, Maprik Region, East…

Abelam Ancestral Figure, Papua New Guinea

A fine ancestral figure, Abelam people, Maprik Region, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, condition: some cracks, height 84 cm, width 16 cm

An ancestral figure, Sepik River, East Sepik Province, Papua…

Sepik Ancestral Figure from Papua New Guinea

An ancestral figure, Sepik River, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, height 72 cm, width 19 cm

A rare ancestor figure, Porapora river Region, Papua New Guinea,…

Rare Ancestor Figure from Papua New Guinea

A rare ancestor figure, Porapora river Region, Papua New Guinea, collected in the 1970's. Figurative carving from this region is extremely rare, many institutions do not have examples, height 89 cm

An Agiba skull rack, Kerewa or related group, Kikori river…

Agiba Skull Rack from Papua New Guinea

An Agiba skull rack, Kerewa or related group, Kikori river Delta or Turama river, Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea, wood & pigments. Very few 'Agiba' have carved full figures as in this example. Included is Roy Hedlud's photo from 1961, it is at the far…

An early Bioma figure, Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea, wood with…

Early Bioma Figure from Papua New Guinea

An early Bioma figure, Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea, wood with natural ochres. Provenance: Collected by Roy Hedlundin 1961. Morton D. May collection, Saint Louis Art Museum, Accession no. E252542.109, height 69 cm

A 19th century fine Admiralty Islands ancestor figure, Manus…

Admiralty Islands Ancestor Figure, 19th Century

A 19th century fine Admiralty Islands ancestor figure, Manus Islands, Papua New Guinea. Provenance: Christie's London, November 8, 1977, lot 59, 83.5 cm

Three ancestor figures, lower Sepik River, Papua New Guinea,…

Sepik River Ancestor Protective Figures

Three ancestor figures, lower Sepik River, Papua New Guinea, these are protective figures to keep evil influences away. Painted in orange earth ochres, 30 x 9, 28 x 8, 28 x 9 cm

An old stone figure, Papua New Guinea. Provenance: Collected by…

Papua New Guinea Stone Figure from 1970s Film Collection

An old stone figure, Papua New Guinea. Provenance: Collected by an Australian film maker whilst making a film in Papua New Guinea in the 1970's, height 36 cm, width 24 cm

A carved and polychrome New Guinea ancestor figure, Sepik River,…

Sepik River Ancestor Figure with Bird Headdress

A carved and polychrome New Guinea ancestor figure, Sepik River, of a man in a bird headdress, height 128 cm. Provenance: Mossgreen, Sydney, 'Margaret Olley AC (1923-2011) an artist's life ', 30 June 2013, lot 162, acquired from the above

Sepik River carved basket hook figure, of figural form with…

Sepik River Carved Basket Hook Figure

Sepik River carved basket hook figure, of figural form with carved features and lower mask carved into hook, height 60 cm

Ancestral figure, Blackwater River, Papua New Guinea. Carved…

Papua New Guinea Ancestral Figure

Ancestral figure, Blackwater River, Papua New Guinea. Carved and engraved hardwood in the form of an anthropomorphic ancestral figure, length 52 x 15.5 cm. Provenance: Peter Hallinan collection H507, Sydney. Private collection, New South Wales

Large Sepik figure, Papua New Guinea. Carved and engraved wood,…

Sepik Wood Carving from Papua New Guinea

Large Sepik figure, Papua New Guinea. Carved and engraved wood, length 63 x 10 cm. Provenance: Ex Echo gallery collection, New South Wales. Private collection, New South Wales

Large Iatmul suspension hook figure, Middle Sepik River, Papua…

Iatmul Hook Figure from Papua New Guinea

Large Iatmul suspension hook figure, Middle Sepik River, Papua New Guinea. Carved and engraved hardwood with natural pigments and shells. A Sepik River hook used to hang food or other items to keep them off the floor and away from rodents. The hook of an…

Massim lime spatula, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea.…

Trobriand Island Massim Lime Spatula

Massim lime spatula, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea. Carved and engraved hardwood, dark glossy patina. Spatulas were used by preparing betel nut. The betel nut and leaf were mixed with chalk so it was chewable. Spatulas with human figures were used…

Large Massim figure, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea.…

Engraved Massim Figure from Papua New Guinea

Large Massim figure, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea. Carved and engraved hardwood, length 70.5 x 18 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, New South Wales

Bioma spirit figure, Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea. Carved and…

Papuan Gulf Bioma Spirit Figure

Bioma spirit figure, Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea. Carved and engraved wood and natural pigments, length 104 x 24 cm. Provenance: Ex Echo gallery collection (19), New South Wales. Private collection, New South Wales

Korowi hook figure Papua New Guinea 103 cm including stand.

Papua New Guinea Korowi Hook Figure with Stand

Korowi hook figure Papua New Guinea 103 cm including stand.

Ancestor figure, Sepik River Papua New Guinea 49 cm

Sepik River Ancestor Figure

Ancestor figure, Sepik River Papua New Guinea 49 cm

Papua New Guinea spirit figure, Sepik River 43 cm

Sepik River Spirit Figure: Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea spirit figure, Sepik River 43 cm

Wasuk mindja figure with bone nose piece, Papua New Guinea 147…

Bone-nosed Figure from Papua New Guinea

Wasuk mindja figure with bone nose piece, Papua New Guinea 147 cm

Massim Figure, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea. Slight loss…

Trobriand Islands Massim Figure

Massim Figure, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea. Slight loss to nose. Height 48 cm