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Auction House:
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Number of lots recorded:96
Lots with images:95
Prices available:96
Category:
LotDescriptionPriceImage
*** A fighting shield, Nipa Valley, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea, 131 x 40 cm *** N/A
*** A large clam shell pectoral Tema or Kap Kap, Santa Cruz, the Solomon Islands. Provenance: Ex Judith wood collection, diameter 17 cm ***
*** A whale bone staff, Wuvulu Island, Papua New Guinea. Provenance: collected by Tim Herbert in the 1970s, 67.5 x 24 cm ***
*** Parrying shield, La Grange Bay area. Hardwood with finely incised curvilinear design to rear. Kimberley Region, Western Australia. Provenance: Paquim collection. Acquired by Joe Paquim, a former US submariner who returned to Western Australia after World… ***
*** Two ceremonial tabuas, whales teeth on coconut husk strands for 'Lt-Gen F.G Hassett CB. CBE. DSO MVG from the Commander and all ranks the Royal Fiji military Forces Suva 19 May 1975', General Sir Francis George 'Frank' Hassett AC, KBE, CB, DSO, LVO (11… ***
*** Shield, Wahgi Valley, Western Highlands, Papua New Guinea. 154 cm ***
*** A ceremonial spirit board 'Gope'Kwoi, Purari Delta Papuan Gulf, New Guinea. 19th/20th century. Provenance: Dr. K. Nibbrig. University of Medicine. Vienna Austria. 103 cm ***
*** Five fine old Kap Kap ornaments, Boiken area, the finely carved designs overlaid bailer shell. 9 - 11 cm ***
*** A beaded ceremonial Apron, Sereu, Ambai Island, Japen Island, Geelvink Bay, West Papua, Collected in 1985; the small glass trade beads are woven with bush fibre string, complex designs in green, black, white and yellow bead work. 54 x 49 cm ***
*** Malagan mask, ex. Sir Russell Drysdale Estate, in light wood extensively carved with two side panels and fibre hair, shell eyes. Side pieces have had dowelling inserts attached. A/F, New Ireland,Papua New Guinea, height 78 cm. Provenance: ex. Sir Russell… ***
*** Nine fine red feather money sticks, Santa Cruz Islands, feather money is used in Santa Cruz as a form of currency. The supply is limited by the availability of the feathers used and the man-hours involved in its manufacture by a few hereditary specialists… ***
*** Asmat shield, with ray fish head and lightening design incorporating flying foxes. Woven tassels affixed. Provenance: collected by Jim Elmslie, 1988, Asmat region, West Papua, 150 x 53 cm ***
*** Five old and finely incised coconut bowls, Abelam area and Sepik area,Papua New Guinea. 12 - 16 cm (5) ***
*** Two Northwest Coast carvings, Canada, Haida; one intricately carved miniature totem pole, signed on back 'Raymond Williams, Vancouver Island' circa 1950s, and on the bottom 'This raven pole was by master carver Raymond Williams (Nootka)'; together with a… ***
*** A shield, carved in the form of large ancestral face, incised with traditional motifs, considerable wear and chipping on top and bottom, Kambot village, Keram river, Sepik region PNG. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, height… ***
*** Three old hunting boomerangs, 19th/early 20th century; with incised designs. Provenance: Lord Alistair McAlpine (1942-2014); a British businessman, politician and author who was an advisor to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, he was a lifetime collector… ***
*** A collection of sixteen African flutes, old and used flutes from various tribes. Men used such flutes in rituals to call the names of ancestors and to communicate with one another when hunting, the tones of a well-played flute mimicking the tone of speech… ***
*** An old war shield, Simbai, Bismarck Schrader Ranges, Madang Province; finely carved from hardwood with upraised cross hatched designs. Provenance: Collected by Jack Hibbert who was a Missionary living and working in New Guinea in the 1960's. 107 x 56 cm ***
*** An Asmat canoe prow of large proportions. Asmat Region, West Papua; A/F. Provenance: Ex. Peter Hallinan collection #1451. Length 138 cm ***
*** An Asmat Jipae dance costume, Pupis village, Wasar River, NW Asmat area; Jipae costumes represent the recently deceased in the village, they represent both men and/or women and all have a personal name. The ceremony helps the spirits of the deceased pass… ***
*** A dance mask, Ramu River area, finely carved and painted with red ochre and Rickets blue (soap bleach) the nose showing the multi-layered nose ornaments called ' ondogo '. When this mask was used ceremonially, it would have been just the face of an… ***
*** Splash board for a large Ocean Going canoe, Tami or Siassi Island, huon Gulf, Morobe Province,Papua New Guinea. Provenance: Collected by Peter Hallinan, 1982, on Tuam Island, Dampier Straits, Morobe Province, from the owner of the large ocean going canoe… ***
*** Stone figure New Ireland, this powerful looking figure has a large hooked nose and two small figures coming off the sides of the head. There is also another small figure clasped to the stomach of the large figure, reminiscent of New Ireland Uli figures.… ***
*** Nokwi figure, Waskuk Region, Sepik river, Papua New Guinea. Height 97 cm ***
*** Shield, Wahgi Valley, Papua New Guinea Highlands ***
*** Three old shell money wealth items, Solomon Islands, Malaita Island, 19th century or very early 20th century; a multi strand shell money chest bandolier (torisusu), together with a seven strand shell money belt (Fo'o aba), and a very fine shell money… ***
*** Sixteen ancient shell rings, Abelam and Humboldt Bay areas, together with a round shell plug that came out when making a large shell ring. 5 -14 cm, 10 cm (17) ***
*** A collection of ancient glass earrings, Geelvink Bay area, West Papua; these glass earrings were collected on the Waropen Coast along the north Coast of West New Guinea, traditionally called 'Dimbo' in the local Warpoen language, they were an important… ***
*** A Lagrange shield. Length 70 cm ***
*** Three old and finely incised coconut whistles, together with a coconut spoon from the Markham Valley, and a Sepik pigment dish in the form of a dog. 8 - 25 cm (5) ***
*** A canoe board, showing signs of wear from use, cracks to front A/F, collection # 118045, Murik Lakes, lower Sepik region PNG. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, length 42 cm ***
*** A fine old Polynesian kava bowl, Tonga, early 20th century; in the form of a traditional stylized turtle with four legs and old patina from extensive use. Provenance: Francis Edgar Williams (1893-1953) Williams was the assistant government anthropologist… ***
*** Two early central Desert hunting boomerangs, both with fine linear striations, traces of ochre, used and old patina. Provenance: Lord Alistair McAlpine (1942-2014); a British businessman, politician and author who was an advisor to Prime Minister Margaret… ***
*** Dick Nguleingulei Murramurra (1920-1988) Kukuken ochres on bark Language group: Gunwinggu Clan: Nabularldja old label affixed verso, Kukuken ; the Fresh water crocodile, which is a totem of the Dhuwa Moiety and is also called 'My mother's dreaming 'By the… ***
*** A dance mask 'Tangbal' Vokeo Island, stand not included, north Coast Papua New Guinea, 103 x 26 x 40 cm ***
*** A war shield with four stylised faces and incised designs, Sepik river Region, Papua New Guinea. Height 136 cm ***
*** An important Marind Anim Stork Dema figure, Imo cult, used in Dema Ceremony early 1990s; these were left over from the collections Todd Barlin made for major museums including a full Dema Ceremony now held at the Musee du Quai Branly in Paris and another… ***
*** A Fijian Kiakavo club, 18/19th century, finely carved from a single piece of hardwood, the striking section with raised detail and very old patina. Provenance: Robert Henry Pulleine (1869-1935), physician and naturalist, was born on 7 June 1869 at Picton,… ***
*** A female ancestor figure, middle Sepik, a sensitively carved figure made from hardwood, cowrie shell eyes and traces of original ochre painted designs on face and body. 66 x 26 cm ***
*** A giant clamshell ring, 'Yua', a very large Yua, with perfect circular centre; this shell ring is particularly thick, adding to its inherent value. These are used as currency and are very valuable; particularly important in bride price transactions,… ***
*** A good New Britain shield Sulka/Mengan. Mid 20th century. Provenance: Private Collection Queensland. 123 x 26 cm ***
*** A large fighting shield, Waghi valley, Papua New Guinea Highlands 168 x 68 cm ***
*** A Maori Chieftan's taiaha, 19th century, New Zealand, a fine dark patina with traditional carving to top. Provenance: The Thompson collection, P.L. Pickles & Co., Sept 6th 1986 lot 154 157 cm ***
*** A traditional axe & a traditional weapon, Wyvulu (Matty) Island, Papua New Guinea, wood & turtle bone, finely made with hardwood handles, turtle bone blades inset & held with tree resin, both handles with patina, 107 x 34 cm, 46 x 21 cm ***
*** A fighting shield, Mendi valley, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea, oval in shape with a central ridge or 'Backbone', very traditional abstract design in red & white, with anthropomorphic meaning, 122 x 47 cm ***
*** An old dance mask, Ramu River Estuary, north coast Papua New Guinea, layers of paint (some enamel) & worn holes suggest age & many times used in ceremony. Provenance: collected early 1980s by Peter Mann, 41 x 19 cm ***
*** A large Yina yam fertility figure, Washhuk hills, upper Sepik river Region, Papua New Guinea 80 x 30 cm ***
*** A New Ireland figure. Provenance: David Baker Collection. 151 cm ***
*** A monumental gable mask, with swirling incised design decorated with natural earth pigments. Sangriwa village, Blackwater river, Sepik Region,Papua New Guinea, 162 cm ***
*** Telefomin war shield, with striking red, black and white design. Provenance: collected by a Burns Philip employee, Telefomin region, star Mountains,Papua New Guinea, 163 x 50 cm ***
*** Two old Marind Anim shell conch horns, old and well used shell horns with fibre decorations. 30 cm, 34 cm (2) ***
*** A fine old Tapa Wallace or Fortuna Island, French Polynesia. Provenance: Nicolai Mitchoutchkine collection (1929-2010). Mitchoutchkine had a large Oceanic Art collection that toured Europe, the USA and Japan in the 1980's, he made two publications;… ***
*** Two old boomerangs, left: an early stone carved hunting boomerang, Western Australia, right : an early highly curved returning boomerang, made from hardwood, Southeast Australia, early 20th century. Provenance: Lord Alistair McAlpine (1942-2014); a… ***
*** A large old Australian Aboriginal Coolamon bowl, Central Australia; finely incised on both sides with linear striations, the outside painted with traditional central Desert clan designs. 69 x 26 cm ***
*** A large war shield, area 'C', Asmat Region, West Papua 202 cm ***
*** A rare ancestor figure, Wakde Island, Sarmi area, West Papua; collected by Todd Barlin 'This unusual old and figure I found on a field collecting trip to Wakde Island off the coast of Sarmi district in 1986. It was broken with only one arm intact, it… ***
*** An Asmat Jipae dance costume, Pupis village, Wasar River, NW Asmat area; Jipae costumes represent the recently deceased in the village, they represent both men and/or women and all have a personal name. The ceremony helps the spirits of the deceased pass… ***
*** Two Marind Anim Dema ornaments, in the form of sea birds, these bird figures were used for a Dema called Tetale. These fine ornaments were used in the early 1990's in a Mayo cult Dema Ceremony in Okaba District. These were left over from the collections… ***
*** Three old canoe paddles, Lake Sentani, finely incised designs including stylized fish on both sides of the paddle blade. Exhibited: Pacific Navigation Exhibition 2103 at Casula Powerhouse Gallery. 165 cm, 171 cm,174 cm (3) ***
*** A fighting shield, Nembi Plateau, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea, a strong shield, carved with a spine that radiates 'V' forms at top and bottom. The painting is a vibrant orange, with white highlights around the knotted rope appearing like 'Eyes'… ***
*** Two chief status pectoral Insignias, clamshell on a turtle shell base, Bokolo, the Solomon Islands (2). Provenance: Ex Judith wood collection, diameter 14-15 cm ***
*** A Fijian Cannibal fork (Culanibokolo) 19th century Used only by chiefs and priests, a rare original example. Length 30 cm. Found in an antique shop in Wagga, NSW. Ex Melbourne collection ***
*** A giant clamshell ring, Yua, Yanoru, Prince Alexander mountains, Papua New Guinea, diameter26 cm ***
*** A large mimi ancestral figure, Arnhem land, Northern Territory, natural earth pigments on carved wood, mounted on custom stand. Provenance: Purchased from Cooee Gallery, Sydney, 1992. Provenance: The Andrew Korda & Susan Pearson collection, height 229 cm ***
*** An exceptional war shield, Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea, 178 x 85 cm ***
*** A painted palm plath ceiling panel, Abelam people, Maprik Region, Papua New Guinea, height 98 cm, width 33 cm ***
*** Bardi shield. Hardwood decorated with red ochre and finely incised designs to front and rear. Kimberley Region, Western Australia. Provenance: Paquim collection. Acquired by Joe Paquim, a former US submariner who returned to Western Australia after World… ***
*** A old Schouten Islands hair ornament, men along the coastal Sepik area and Schouten Islands wore these hair pieces in the 19th and early 20th century, their hair was pulled up through the decorated basketry ornament. This example has German New Guinea era… ***
*** A large Malekula figure, Vanuatu. Provenance: David Baker Collection. 166 cm ***
*** Two early central Desert hunting boomerangs, both with fine linear striations, traces of ochre, use and old patina. Provenance: Lord Alistair McAlpine (1942-2014); a British businessman, politician and author who was an advisor to Prime Minister Margaret… ***
*** A finely carved and painted shield, Central Australia, the front with fine Central Australian designs in white ochre. 68 x 22.5 cm ***
*** An ancestral figure, finely carved and patina throughout, Cameroon, Central Africa, height 21.5 cm ***
*** An early war shield, Asmat, Central Asmat, West Papua. Provenance: Raymond Charles Williams. This very early Asmat shield, was obtained by Raymond Charles Williams who was in the Royal Australian engineers Corp and stationed on Thursday Island in the… ***
*** A Western Highlands shield 124 cm ***
*** Two old Geelvink Bay canoe ornaments, field collected in Wandaman Bay, north Coast West Papua, 1985; these finely carved canoe ornaments were from a large war canoe that is no longer made, they were kept as memories of the grandparents and great… ***
*** A Javanese mask, 19th century, stamped with insignia of the Sultan of Surakarta verso, showing signs of a heavily faded polychrome decoration to headdress and finely painted features, with custom made stand Provenance: from the private collection of an… ***
*** Three Fiji Kiakavo clubs, 19th century, [3], these three fine examples are all made from hardwood and of good form, one has the very unusual butt that is definitely in the shape of a phallus. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 99 cm, 85 cm, 100 cm ***
*** Three old canoe paddles, Lake Sentani, finely incised traditional designs including stylized fish on both sides of the paddle blade. Exhibited: Pacific Navigation Exhibition 2013 at Casula Powerhouse gallery. 170 cm, 145 cm, 171 cm (3) ***
*** Two fine West Australian Woomeras, [2], both finely incised over the entire front surface, one with zig zag designs and the other abstract designs and possibly a snake (or rainbow serpent) motif. Both have peg at top intact and old use patina. Provenance:… ***
*** A large war shield, mount Hagen area, Western Highlands Province, this fine shield with pecked design and ochre painting is similar to one that I sold to John Friede 20 years ago (see attached third image for a photo of the John Freide shield).' Todd… ***
*** An early Massim figure, early 20th century, finely carved from heavy and hardwood, this figure is possible a fragment off a large stool. Provenance: from the famous Australian Artist Nora Heysen (1911-2003), she was in New Guinea during World War I. She… ***
*** A pre-historic stone bowl and 'egg', Mendi Valley, Papua New Guinea, these are from a previous culture, when found in garden excavations they become objects of magic. This bowl is considered 'Female' and central to female fertility ceremonies in… ***
*** A striking dark stone disk, Tanimbar Islands, Tenggarah Regency, Maluku Province, Indonesia, on custom steel stand. Provenance: The Andrew Korda & Susan Pearson collection, diameter 61 cm ***
*** A monumental wooden door with ancestral figure carved in relief, Nias Island, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia, on custom steel stand. Provenance: The Andrew Korda & Susan Pearson collection, 188 x 81 cm ***
*** A green stone Maori patu, New Zealand, height 30 cm, width 10 cm ***
*** Two old dogs teeth wealth ornaments, Ramu area, a fine head band with numerous dogs teeth and nassa shell trim, together with a fine dogs teeth chest ornament *See field photo of how these dogs teeth ornaments were worn 46 cm, 44 cm (2) ***
*** A Kundu drum, with water lizard skin intact, striking design to base in the form of myriad ancestral faces, incised and decorated with natural pigments. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, height 60 cm ***
*** A New Ireland Malangan figure by Matthew Sale. Provenance: David Baker Collection. 122 cm ***
*** A South East Australian Leangle club in hardwood with knob to base of handle. Length 59 cm ***
*** A female Asmat ancestral figure, in squatting form on wooden base, with exaggerated feet and hand to chin, painted with white and red ochre, Asmat region, West Papua. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, height 48 cm ***
*** An ancestral figure, of two entwined male figures, residual white ochre, minor cracks A/F, Asmat region, West Papua. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, height 99 cm ***
*** An early Papuan Gulf Implement, in hardwood with incised motif, decorated with pipeclay, old patina, Papuan Gulf region PNG. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, length 60 cm ***
*** A shield, WHP, an old and well used war shield, with original Cassowary feather plume ornaments at top and original handle with braided rope, boldly pecked and painted designs and traces of Rickets blue soap powder. Old label Reads: Wisimei village,… ***
*** A fine old Papuan Gulf drum, finely carved with two large ancestor faces on the fishtail part of the drum, and deeply incised designs on the bands near the handle, dark patina overall. 86.5 cm ***
*** A Yipwon figure, carved wood with traces of natural earth ochres, mounted on a steel stand, Karawari river, East Sepik Province PNG. Provenance: collected by Cyril van Elst, palm beach, Sydney, in the 1960s, height 160 cm ***
*** Four tabua, one with incised figure, another with woven fibre binding, Fiji, length 10 - 15 cm ***