From the collection of Desmond Morris comes this exceptional protective figure. The face and body have fine carvings and red and white pigments. H. 75 cm, W. 68 cm. Provenance: Bonhams London 2004, Mallams Auctioneers Abingdon, 2015, Collection Desmond Morris, Mallams Auctioneers Oxford 2019.

From the Abelam tribe of Sepik River Papua, New Guinea, this traditional Kara'wut (also spelled kara ut,karaout and karahut)is made from woven plant fiber and decorated with boar tusks and nasa shells. Usually worn around the neck by the men only, on the chest or back, when facing battle the kara'ut would be clenched in the teeth, dangling from the mouth to impress the enemy with one's fierceness...

Wonderfully carved narrow mask from papau New Guinea, aka, PNG. 16.5 inches long x 1.5 inches wide

A gorgeous carved wood tribal feast or ceremonial bowl from Papua New Guinea. Beautifully carved with tribal figures and serpent designs around the bowl with tribal designs on the bottom. These bowls were economically important to the tribe as they provide the carvers with an extra income as well as being used during ceremonial village feasts and being an essential part of the traditional bride price. This would be a fabulous piece for your table and to display in any home interior. ...

Rare and wonderful kava bowl in the stylized form of a turtle, Fiji, early 20th century, all hand crafted, with soft lustrous and dark finish. Measures 19" head to tail, 14" wide, and varies in height from 4 1/4" to 4 3/8". Kava bowls are ceremonial throughout areas of Oceanic cultures, with Fiji, Tonga, and Solomon Islands being the centers for such items. Typically cut from ironwood, they are made from one solid piece of wood, and are finished and polished with palm or coconut oils, giving...

A very rare pair of hand guards or constructed from a course woven fibre each incorporating three rows of shark's teeth secured with a fine hand made string or cord. These 'gloves' were made on the Gilbert Islands (now Kiribati) probably during the first half of the 20th Century. Condition: excellent - the fibre is frayed in places but apparently no damages or losses...

Asmat Tribe War Shield and Spirit Protecting Shield, made on the Dutch (Indonesian) side of New Guinea (Irian Jaya) by the Asmat people. It shows carving done by stone or shell tools, rather than more recent metal-carved examples. 74 x 20 inches, 188 x 51 cm.

A very old New Guinea Massim lime spatula, made of intricately carved dark wood. The spatula portion is missing. This is not my specialty; identified by major auction house expert. A fine example of Melanesian ethnographic carving. Measures 12" by 4 1/4" (extreme dimensions). The thin tip is broken, as shown.

A large 20th century tribal intricately carved wooden model of Soul Boat from a Pacific islands. The interior is mounted with three detachable figures of seated warrior ancestors with their heads raised toward the heavens.

Two large mythical guardians of the spirit world hold a boat transporting the souls of the dead to the afterlife. Each side of the boat is carved with two lizards. The boat is bolted to a wooden plinth...

This ornate pectorial is from the Highlands region of Papua New Guinea and would have been worn by a man during ceremonial occasions. It is made from plant fiber, which was pigment dyed and studded with nassa shells. The piece is accented on either side by a large white cowrie shell.

This wonderful ethnographic artifact was obtained from the estate of an anthropology professor in St. Louis. Having been stored away for many years, the color of the pigment dyes are still relatively strong.

Very old Hudoq mask , light wood with only mineral dyes. as shown from the back side this mask was hold with the teeth biting the thin bambou stick, likely for first part of the 20th, circa 100years H 30 cm , wide 34 cm, nose 12cm

A large and heavy carved hardwood mask, inset with Paua shell eyebrows, eyes and teeth, depicting tu-mata-uenga - the Maori god of war. Condition: very good - no damages, repairs or restoration. 48cm (18.9inches) high; 28cm (11inches) wide.

新西兰产毛利族硬木雕嵌贝壳战神面具 约1920-1950年间
面具眉毛、眼睛和...

This dagger was made from the leg bone of a cassowary bird. It was carved and used as a weapon by one of the indigenous tribal groups of Papua New Guinea, aka PNG. Approx 8 inches long with great patina and makes a wonderful example of an ethnographic artifact.

A baby carrier made of wood and woven rattan, decorated with a woven panel of glass beads, strings of glass beads, bronze bells, bone ornaments, animal teeth and a wooden sculpture. Dayak, Borneo, ca. 2nd quarter of the 20th century. The bead panel possibly earlier as they were passed on from generation to generation. H. 33 cm , W. 36 cm.

This Soloman island scale model canoe is ornately decorated mother of pearl inlay. It is complete with fixed seats, 7 paddles and rides on the back of a dolphin. Carved from hardwood, presumed to be teak, it was brought back to the US with an American GI, serving in the Pacific islands during WWII. The canoe spans 29 inches and in beautiful condition.

Tribal Oceanic, Papua-New Guinea, first half of the 20th century, a finely carved wood sculpture in the form of a standing ancestor figure, with eyes inlaid with cowrie shells, painted in dark grey pigment with white polychrome face, mounted on a modern black painted wooden stand.

CONDITION: In good condition considering its age, showing the age and usage, with wear.

MEASUREMENTS: Height including the stand: 23 cm (9.06 inches). Height of the wooden sculpture: 20 cm (7.87 inches)...

Tribal Oceanic Papua-New Guinea Sepik River,Lime Container Spirit Playing Flute. DETAILS: A wooden finial elaborately carved in the form of an ancestor, with eyes inlaid with cowrie shells, painted in black, and highlighted with white polychrome, mounted on a hollowed-out bamboo staff with cane bands.

CONDITION: In good condition considering its age, showing the age and usage, with wear and age cracks (as is common in old wood)...

Early 20th century hand carved kava bowl, Tonga or Fiji, with four tapered round legs, and a stylized head on one side with holes for attaching a cord for hanging, very deep and satiny patina, chisel marks over much of the surface, hard wood with nice figural elements. Within the culture it is referred to as a tanoa. Measures 14 3/4" across and is 5 3/4" high...