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Auction House:
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Number of lots recorded:96
Lots with images:96
Prices available:96
Category:
LotDescriptionPriceImage
*** A fine Mundugumor people flute stopper Biwat village, Yuat River, Lower Sepik River, New Guinea. Provenance: Dr. Armand Wesremann a collection number to the reverse GFK324. Private collection France. 60 cm (75 cm including stand) ***
*** The Message stick Vehicle, the Aboriginal Art car is dubbed 'The Message Stick Vehicle' and is a timeless Art piece of Australian Aboriginal cultural history adorned with incredible Aboriginal paintings on this one of a kind Ex-military 1961 Land Rover… ***
*** A fine Queensland rainforest shield and sword club, early 20th century. Provenance: Robert White collection. Shield: 87.5 x 19 cm; club: 92 cm (2) ***
*** Shield, Motu people, central Province, Papua New Guinea, 19th century, this type of shield was used along the coast between cape Possession & Hall sound and inland from these coastal areas. These shields are highly sought after by collectors because of… ***
*** Maori double flute, unusual form double flute with incised face motif on both terminals. Finely wrought fibre binding. Provenance: Purchased from Senta Taft at Galleries Primitif, Paddington circa 1970. New Zealand, 49 cm ***
*** Four old stone headed clubs, New Guinea, 18/19th century, [4], two pineapple shaped club heads, a star shaped head and a disc shaped head club, all with very old handles and some fibre or woven attachments. Provenance: Ex James Cobon, surveyor to British… ***
*** A garamut of great rarity (village drum) late 19th century, early 20th century Torricelli Mountains, West Sepik. Province, New Guinea. 130 cm ***
*** A fine old hair comb, Fly River area, New Guinea, early 20th century; finely carved from hardwood in the form of the head of an ancestor with good expression, the comb has incised designs on both sides. 42 x 11 cm ***
*** An early Micronesian navigational map, known as stick Charts which were used to navigate the Pacific Islands by canoe. Made from straight and bent pieces of coconut fronds midribs and tied with sennit coconut fibre string, small Cowrie shells are tied in… ***
*** A chalkstone or coral head, Manning Strait, Solomon Islands; this finely carved head with incised designs consisting of concentric circles and chevrons on the face that probably represented facial tattooing. This head is very similar to one in the… ***
*** War shield Mendi Valley, Southern Highlands Province, this oval type of shield known as worrumbi was the most important type of shield for fighting in the Mendi Valley area. This shield with an abstract anthropomorphic figure is of the rarest type. An old… ***
*** Fourteen early shell pendants 'Loanlasi', Malaita and Makira Islands, Solomon Islands, 18th - early 19th century; on custom made display stands, five have incised stylized frigate bird designs, the others with incised fish and abstract designs, some are… ***
*** A large Garamut drum, intricately carved design to sides and two fine finials, with some damage as per images. Mounted on custom steel stands. Late nineteenth or early twentieth century, Murik Lakes, lower Sepik river region, Papua New Guinea. Provenance:… ***
*** 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… ***
*** Two old Rennell Island clubs and an old Ambrym Island club, 81 cm, 92 cm, 79 cm (3) ***
*** A fine old parrying club, San Christobal Island, Easter Solomon Islands, late 19th century; made from hardwood and has a deep old patina overall. A small figure at the butt of the club. This type of San Christobal Parrying club (Qauata) had a very… ***
*** A neckrest, Rennell Island, Solomon Islands; of classical form and original sennit binding. Provenance: South Seas Evangelical Mission (active late 19th - early 20th century) 38 x 14 cm ***
*** Maori hand club wahaika, this hardwood club is finely incised over the entire blade with deep relief linear haehae carving. A finely carved ancestor figure on the side of the club with elliptical eyes, curved legs and hands held to the belly. The butt of… ***
*** An ancestral figure with abundant shell, feather and cuscus fur decoration, Sepik River, Papua New Guinea, made for presentation to Sir Michael Somare, first Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea in 1975, however never presented. Provenance: Peter Hallinan,… ***
*** Eight fine old Barava and Bokolo pieces, Western Solomon Islands, 18th - early 19th century; all on custom made display stands. Provenance: Tebbenham collection. Tebbenham was on the Navy Ship the HSM Mohawk 1898 on a Punitive Expedition to the Western… ***
*** Two superb dolphin teeth necklaces, (barulifai'a), Lau Lagoon area, Malaita Island, Solomon Islands, early 20th century; together with a fine shell money belt also from Malaita Island. Provenance: The South Seas Evangelical Mission collection. 44 x 5 cm,… ***
*** A fine old Massim Ghena Ngaa wood wealth spatula, 19th century; in the Louisiade Archipelago there are crescent-shaped wealth spatula made of wood and their primary purpose is to display a form of red shell money currency known as 'Bagi'. These wealth… ***
*** A fine old Ifugao Bulul figure, Ifugao people of Northern Luzon, Philippines; 'Bulul' are guardians of rice granaries, and are very important in Ifugao society, where rice is the staple crop. The Ifugao believe that 'Bululs' are responsible for plentiful… ***
*** A war shield, Mount Hagen area, Highlands Province, this is an old and well used shield with pecked and painted designs, the back with original wood cross handle grip. Provenance: Collected by Ian Downs (1915-2004); Downs was an Australian colonial patrol… ***
*** An old fighting shield, Obura, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea, old label reads 'Obura. 16 spears', the wooden shield is ancient with fine engraved design all over on the front & covered with spear points from ancient fights, blank on reverse, the top… ***
*** Four old Marapai charms in original woven bags, Papuan Gulf area,Papua New Guinea, late 19th century; the bags have the original botanical attachments in little woven parcels. In old times each man would have possessed a group of Marapai Charms like these… ***
*** A fine shell money belt, Solomon Islands, 19th century; Provenance: Ex. Tost & Rohu collection: (attached original tag) from 1872 to the 1930's, Jane Tost and her daughter Ada, who was married to naturalist and artefact collector Henry Rohu, founded Tost… ***
*** A ritual baton, Malaita Island, Solomon Islands, the wood baton with fine inlay shell work is almost in perfect condition, the neck has a band of small braided sennit fibre. These were called 'Fou atoleleo' in Kwaio Language, they were worn hanging from… ***
*** A fine old Massim Ghena wealth spatula, 19th century,Papua New Guinea, in the Louisiade Archipelago there are crescent-shaped wealth Spatulas made of wood and turtle shell. Their primary purpose is to display a form of red shell money currency known as… ***
*** A superb large Vanuatu club, 19th century, Malekula Island; this very old club was made for a large warrior, it is a third bigger than other examples of this type of club, it is made from a heavy hard wood and has a fine old reddish brown patina.… ***
*** A war shield, Mendi, Papua New Guinea Highlands 117 cm ***
*** A superb ancient Barava, Western Solomon Islands, 18th century or earlier; mostly complete with two large and impressive figures standing on circular base. The shell is very thick and with an ancient patina of the oldest types of these objects have; on a… ***
*** A war shield, Mendi Valley, Southern Highlands Province, mid-20th century; hardwood with carved and ochre painted decorations. Exhibited: Oceanic Art Pacifica 2014 at Casula Power House Gallery. 126 x 40 cm ***
*** A fine old Wunda shield, West Australia, late 19th - early 20th century. Finely incised zig zag designs with traces of the original white, red ochre decorations & old patination. Provenance: Lord Alistair McAlpine (1942-2014) was a British businessman,… ***
*** Two fine feather ornaments from New Guinea, together with a rare green iridescent beatle headband, [3], finely woven and with beautifully coloured feathers. Provenance: Collected by Peter Hallinan (1938-2015). Peter was a well-known and respected field… ***
*** An old war shield Telefomin area, star Mountains, West Sepik,Papua New Guinea, deeply incised clan designs with ochre infill decoration. Original rattan handle on back. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 150 x 53 cm ***
*** A fine old Massim Ghena wealth spatula, 19th century,Papua New Guinea, in the Louisiade Archipelago there are crescent-shaped wealth Spatulas made of wood and turtle shell. Their primary purpose is to display a form of red shell money currency known as… ***
*** A Bulul figure, with deep black patina and woven loin cloth. Luzon Island, Philippines ***
*** A pair of Ifugao Bulul figures, Ifugao people of Northern Luzon, Philippines; 'Bulul' are guardians of rice granaries, and are very important in Ifugao society, where rice is the staple crop. The Ifugao believe that 'Bululs' are responsible for plentiful… ***
*** Old war shield Telefomin area, star Mountains, West Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, finely incised clan designs with ochre infill decoration and old patination. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. Exhibited and Published in an exhibition: Oceanic arts… ***
*** Fighting shield, Waghi Valley, Western Highlands, Papua New Guinea Ht, 154 cm ***
*** A Sepik River bridal veil / wealth object, this finely woven and shell decorated piece was worn on the head during bridal ceremonies and is also an important form of traditional shell wealth. 102 cm long ***
*** Five nose ornaments, on custom stands, two old Asmat nose ornaments, one from bailer shell and one made from pig bone, Yow village, Central Asmat, one from Santa Cruz Island and one from Ontong, Java Island. 10 - 15 cm (5) ***
*** A fine old Massim Ghena wealth spatula, 19th century; in the Louisiade Archipelago there are crescent-shaped wealth spatula made of wood and turtle shell and their primary purpose is to display a form of red shell money currency known as 'Bagi'. These… ***
*** BulBul figure, of a man in a squatting position, encrusted patina with chips to base A/F. Philippines ***
*** A Maori club, 19th century, New Zealand, tewhatewha / tewatewa. Provenance: Private Collection Melbourne, length 149 cm ***
*** Two fine Fijian pole clubs, 19th century; both with fine incised designs on lower section of the clubs, the butts of both clubs are concave, one pierced for fibre strap and retaining an old collection number 58:297, both with fine old reddish brown patina… ***
*** Forty eight Arrows and an ancient wood bow, these arrows are of the highest quality; collected by Todd Barlin. 'In 1985 I walked with medical patrol from lake Kopiago in the Southern Highlands to the Hewa people (they are between the Southern Highlands… ***
*** Two early Fijian Bowai pole clubs, 18/19th century, [2], both of the highest aesthetic quality, both carved from hardwood and extremely straight with exceptional form flaring towards the striking end & also at the grip which is covered in fine & deeply… ***
*** A fine Bougainville female ancestor figure, in the naturalistic form of a beautiful young woman, circa 1930's -1940's. 52 cm ***
*** An Iatmul middle Sepik Mwai mask, finely carved of classic form, inlaid shell work and pig tusks traces of ochre painted designs, the nose of the mask ending with a small crouching bird figure. Purchased in New Zealand, 1985. 78.5 cm ***
*** A fine Malagan mask, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea. Provenance: The Andrew Korda & Susan Pearson collection, this Malagan mask was collected by Sir Edward Ford in 1934 during his time working in New Ireland and gifted to the journalist bill Rodie, father… ***
*** A metal 'Phantom' shield, Western Highlands, Papua New Guinea, on beaten metal made from a flattened 44 gallon petrol drum. Rust holes apparent woven fibre and cane handles to rear. Provenance: Ex hall collection, mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea, 86 x 160 cm ***
*** 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 miniature Mbitoro, Mimika, this carving though small in scale is a very fine example of a miniature Mbitoro ceremonial pole, it has the same beauty as the much larger scale Mbitroro poles used in initiation of young men. These small Mbitoro were know to… ***
*** A Malaita Island Supe club, Eastern Solomon Islands, 19th century; of classic diamond shape striking section, tapering handle and fibre grip. Provenance: South Seas Evangelical Mission (active late 19th - early 20th century) 77.5 cm ***
*** A fine old Massim Ghena wealth spatula, 19th century; in the Louisiade Archipelago there are crescent-shaped wealth spatula made of wood and turtle shell and their primary purpose is to display a form of red shell money currency known as bagi. These… ***
*** 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 ***
*** Five ancient Barava ornament pieces, Western Solomon Islands, 18th -19th century; of the old figural type, two on stands. Provenance: Tebbenham collection. Tebbenham was on the Navy Ship the HSM Mohawk 1898 on a punitive expedition to the Western Solomon… ***
*** A large Ambrym Island drum, Vanuatu. Provenance: David Baker Collection. ***
*** Twenty six old nose ornaments, 19th century or earlier; Todd Barlin spent more than 30 years saving the best examples of nose ornaments for his own personal collection. These nose ornaments are generations old and belonged to people's ancestors. Nose… ***
*** A Neckrest, Tonga, 19th century; this classic neckrest of the type called Kali Hahapo, its elegant form carved out of a single piece of hardwood. Many people describe the form as 'Soft and beautiful like a woman's hips'. The bottom of the neckrest shows… ***
*** A fighting shield, Mendi, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea. Height 124 cm ***
*** A giant Nassa shell ring, 'Loloi', Tolai people, New Britain, Papua New Guinea, a hugely valuable shell ring use for bride price & other important traditional events, at ceremony, this ring containing many thousands of shells is broken apart & distributed… ***
*** A whale bone Maori kotiate, New Zealand, this kotiate has inscribed on it: 'Mere, Maori chief Te Heu Heu of Kaiapoi, N.Z.'. Te Heuheu may refer to several people from the Te Heuheu family which has been the family of chiefs of the Maori ngati Tuwharetoa… ***
*** Fighting shield, Wahgi valley, Western Highlands, Papua New Guinea, Wahgi shields are believed to be the largest in the world. This is a superb example, early post contact, painted in traditional yellow and white. The main motif is a bold 'Sun' design;… ***
*** Three ancient Fijian tabua ornaments, all are carved to get the fine shape that was desired by chiefs. All have a deep ancient patina and piercings for hanging the tabua, one has the original fibre necklace attached. Provenance: These tabua were a gift to… ***
*** Maori chief's staff, profusely carved in swirling motif both sides and tattooed faces to terminus. Some damage and chipping on terminus, traces of old lacquer. A/F. Provenance: Purchased from Senta Taft, at Galleries Primitif, Paddington, Sydney, circa… ***
*** An Ambrym Island mask. Provenance: David Baker Collection. 75 cm long, 39 cm high ***
*** Bilinyarra Nabegeyo (c.1920-early 1990s) Mimi spirit ochres on bark Western Arnhem Land, circa 1960s. Bilinyarra (Biliyeyhkga) Nabegeyo was born in about 1920. He was a Kunwinjku speaker, belonging to the Djalama clan and the Yirritja moiety whose country… ***
*** Nine superb feather headdress, Eastern Highlands Provence, [9], finely woven with beautiful feather work. Provenance: Collected by Peter Hallinan (1938-2015). Peter was a well-known and respected field collector of New Guinea Art. (see field photo of… ***
*** A collection of five Fijian Ula throwing clubs, all 18/19th century, [5], includes four ball headed clubs (one with human tooth inlay). All have finely carved tavatava designs on the handles and another Ula with Lobbed head and serrated edged inlay to… ***
*** A shrine post, Flores Island, Indonesia, 18th-19th century, the post has deeply carved spirit figures either side, with typical Flores scrolled design covering the post, only on the exposed side, weathering has softened the design, missing the extended… ***
*** A mid 20th century hardwood Lunet friction drum, New Ireland. Provenance: Private Collection, Victoria, height 51 cm, length 18 cm, width 13.5 cm ***
*** A shield, Mendi Valley Southern Highlands 124 cm ***
*** Fourteen Kesa shell money, Western Solomon Islands, 18th - 19th century; 'Kesa' is a cylindrical shell wealth that came in different sizes and values. It is old, and is said to have been made by the spirit Pongo. People preserved kesa by wrapping them in… ***
*** A Cape York woomera an exceptional early spear thrower of wood, resin and shell. Aurukun people, Queensland. Length 83 cm ***
*** Masawa Kula canoe lagim (splashboard). Collected Amphlette Islands, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea. Jutta Malnic collection. ***
*** A wicker shield, Solomon Islands, 19th century; finely woven with intricate clan designs. Provenance: Tost & Rohu collection: ( attached original tag ) from 1872 to the 1930's, Jane Tost and her daughter Ada, who was married to Naturalist and artefact… ***
*** Four old Fijian throwing clubs (ula), 19th century; one with extensive vertical notches along shaft. Provenance: Robert Henry Pulleine (1869-1935 ); physician and naturalist, born in New Zealand, spent his childhood in Fiji, the family moved to Adelaide… ***
*** Three old Solomon Island's clubs, 19th century; These are the three main types of clubs made and used on Malaita Island. Left: a 'Subi' type. Middle: a very early, diameter type club with incised decoration on hand grip. Right: Alafolo type. Provenance:… ***
*** Three old Marapai charms, Papuan Gulf 19th century, [3], all finely incised with anthropomorphic faces and infill lime decoration. Provenance: James Tyrrell's Curios. Tyrrell was born in Sydney in 1875 and in 1888 started work for the Sydney bookshop… ***
*** Large ceremonial dance helmet, Sassopya Region, Prince Alexander Mountains, Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea for a similar example see 'Art of the Boiken', edited by Michael Hamson, p.123. 110 cm ***
*** A New Ireland Malangan figure, 513 cm ***
*** Three old hair pins, Western Australia, early 20th century; finely incised on both sides; two with interlocking diamond designs and the other with incised concentric squares. Provenance: Lord Alistair McAlpine (1942-2014); a British businessman,… ***
*** A club, Malekula Island, this club is carved from hardwood with an ancestors face on either side of the striking section. Provenance: Nicolai Mitchoutchkine. Mitchoutchkine had a large Oceanic Art collection that toured Europe, the USA and Japan in the… ***
*** Seven ancient Barava ornaments, 19th century or earlier; together with two Kap Kap bases. Provenance: B. L. Hornshaw collection (1878 - 1937); Hornshaw was an avid collector of Pacific and Australian Aboriginal artefacts, he received many of his pieces… ***
*** An Atingting slit drum, Vanuatu. Provenance: David Baker Collection. 204 cm ***
*** Four fine old shell money armbands (abagwaro), Malaita Island; together with a belt, Malaita Island, Solomon Islands. Provenance: The South Seas Evangelical Mission collection late 19th century. 13 x 8 cm, 15 x 8 cm, 21 x 13 cm; belt: 54 x 6 cm (5) ***
*** A fine old Kankaney coffin Lock, Northern Phillipines, the Kankaney are an ethnic division of the Igorots, an indigenous people of the Cordillera region, in the Phillipine Island of Luzan. This figure would have to fit into a square hole on a coffin to… ***
*** An old war shield, Simbai, Bismarck Schrader Ranges, Madang Province; finely carved from hardwood with upraised designs and ochre painted. Provenance: Collected by Jack Hibbert who was a Missionary living and working in New Guinea in the 1960's. 96 x 52 cm ***
*** An old war shield, Simbai. Provenance: Allan D Christensen collection no CC60612 Collected by Philip Goldman, Allen D. And Carmen M. Christensen founded the Christensen Fund as a private foundation in California in 1957. Allen, who was a civil and mining… ***
*** A war shield, Mendi Valley, Southern Highlands Province, an old and used shield carved from hardwood with incised and painted designs. 137 x 39 cm ***
*** An old war shield, Ialibu area, Southern Highlands,Papua New Guinea; old and well used shield with a fine ochre painted designs in the form of a face. 149 x 52 cm ***
*** A large & fine Songe Kifwebe mask, the grooved pattern on the face of the mask is a common characteristic of a Kifwebe mask from the Songye tribe in the Democratic Republic of Congo in central sub-Saharan Africa. The white paint in the grooves symbolizes… ***
*** A New Guinea Highlands shoulder shield together with a Sepik river ancestral figure collected in the 1960s mount Hagen 68 cm, 46 cm ***