Full details of each lot are displayed, except the lot number, estimate and price. You must be a subscriber to view lot numbers, estimates and prices.

Click here to view registration and subscription levels

Auction House:
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Number of lots recorded:96
Lots with images:96
Prices available:96
Category:
LotDescriptionPriceImage
*** A Ghena wealth spatula, Louisiade Archipelago, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. Length 31 cm ***
*** A pair of ceremonial spears, Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory, collected 1960's; finely carved and ochre painted designs. 128 cm each ***
*** Three Australian Aboriginal woven baskets, including: a Queensland bicornuate basket and two Central Arnhem Land woven baskets. 43 cm, 24 cm, 33 cm (3) ***
*** A Ikat Weaving from Sumba Island, Indonesia 20th century, scorpion and stylised figure and supplementary weave on each side, 340 x 130 cm ***
*** A Western Highlands shield, Waghi Valley, Papua New Guinea 159 cm ***
*** A Southern Highlands shield, Papua New Guinea 145 cm ***
*** A Telefomin fighting shield, with striking incised design, decorated with red and white ochre. Telefomin Region, Sanduan Province, Papua New Guinea. Height 170 cm ***
*** A large old bowl, Sepik-Ramu coastal area, with crocodile and mask 33 cm x 21 cm ***
*** A deep African ladle, finely carved in hard wood on a fitted metal stand. Provenance: Xanadu gallery, San Francisco 1980/90s, south American Private Collector, height 22 cm ***
*** A Lega ivory figure, stained with palm oil to give dark patina, collected in 1950's, Congo, Africa. Provenance: on document, height 21 cm ***
*** A bird shaped dance Wand, north Malaita Island, Eastern Solomon Islands, beautifully carved and painted on both sides. 53 cm ***
*** Pay back doll Mendi Valley, Southern Highlands,Papua New Guinea, a finely made fibre doll that is old enough to have been used for ritual purposes. In older times if a person was killed by an enemy, the family of the slain person would make an effigy of… ***
*** Four cassowary bone daggers, Maprik Region, Papua New Guinea (4), length 34-38 cm ***
*** An Aboriginal message board with incised design, Central Australia, decorated with ochre. Provenance: The Hugh Gallagher collection, length 86 cm ***
*** A giant shell ring, Yua, Yangoru, Prince Alexander Mts, Papua New Guinea, diameter 23 cm ***
*** A fine old Afi Afioliya eight strand shell money necklace, Malaita, the Solomon Islands, fish teeth inset in the centre. Provenance: Ex Judith Wood collection. Judith lived in Vanuatu for more than 25 years and field collected frequently in the Solomon… ***
*** An Afi i Oiya eight strand shell necklace, the Solomon Islands, with old white bone or shell spacers. Provenance: Ex Judith wood Collection, 110 cm ***
*** Two Gippsland Aboriginal clubs, with custom made stand. Provenance: collected by Major Glen, head of the Lake Tyers Mission, East Gippsland in 1927, information supplied by vendor ***
*** A fighting shield, Mendi valley, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea 138 x 44 cm ***
*** Solomon Island traditional money shell diameter 13 cm ***
*** A Gopi board, incised design with ochres, Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea, height 137 cm ***
*** A rare boat-shaped wooden ceremonial dancing club, Santa Cruz, handpainted with overall decorative markings. Provenance: The Thomson collection, P.L. Pickles & Co., Sept 6th 1986 page 13, lot 153 private collection, Sydney 98 cm ***
*** An early intricately carved wooden ritual staff, Tunggal Panaluan, Karo Batak people, North Sumatra, carved wood decorated with fibre & hair, stand not included. Provenance: The Andrew Korda & Susan Pearson collection, height 190 cm ***
*** Four traditional fish hooks, north coast, Papua New Guinea, made from clamshell and trochus shell. Typical hooks; one very large and rounded - with exact purpose unknown. Fibre string attached, height 12 cm ***
*** Aibom Pottery vessel with four traditional face designs. Chambri Lakes, Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea, circa 1950's. Ex Robert Ypres. Jutta Malnic collection. Approx 37 x 25 cm ***
*** A fire ceremony dance mask Baining People, New Britain, Papua New Guinea ***
*** A fine old ground clam shell chest ornament, West Papua, with original bush string binding, D 9 cm ***
*** A splash board, Trobriand Islands, 91 cm ***
*** A New Ireland Malangan figure by Edward Sale, 2004 A/F with parts, on stand, 119 cm ***
*** An elaborate mask with figures, Malekula, Vanuatu. Provenance: David Baker Collection. 117 cm ***
*** A New Ireland ceremonial disk, Papua New Guinea. Provenance: David Baker Collection. 70 cm diameter ***
*** Two old carved and incised Sipping bowls, used for drinking a village brewed alcoholic drink. These were collected at Fategomi village, Sorong Province, West Papua, one belonged to a man called Musu Asmuruf. 23 cm, 25 cm ***
*** A large Malekula ceremonial figure, Vanuatu with three heads, painted, 223 cm high ***
*** Six heavy brass Dayak ear ornaments, 9 -11 cm ***
*** An early Maori house carved board, early 20th century, with fine spiral designs and vertical indent patterns, and original red colour. Old Australian collection. 134 x 29 cm ***
*** Andrew Munakali 1940-1988 Nagloyd the rainbow serpent ochres on bark Oenpelli, Western Arnhem Land label affixed verso 90 x 33 cm ***
*** A Tapa painting Humboldt Bay, West Papua, Collected at Nafri village Humboldt Bay 1986; the tapa cloths from lake Sentani and Humboldt Bay in N.W. Irian Jaya are locally known as Maro Smo. Early accounts of the local people making and wearing decorated… ***
*** A fine wealth Billum, Sepik river area, finely woven bush fibre string bag, ochre painted and highly decorated with shell wealth items, including: Nassa shells, Bailer shell, Cowrie shells and Conis shell discs. See the field photo of similar wealth… ***
*** Three ceremonial lime Gours, Sawos, middle Sepik, Papua New Guinea 75 cm ***
*** A south East Australia parrying shield 62 cm ***
*** Two old Sepik spear thrower ornaments, [2], one in the form of a bird and the other a crocodile, both with incised designs and old patina. Provenance: Anthony Forge collection. Forge (1929-1991) was born in London. He studied archaeology and anthropology… ***
*** An old middle Sepik basket hook, this old and well used basket hook is finely carved with two back to back spirit faces and old patina. Provenance: Collected in the 1960's by Father Benedict from the Catholic Mission in Angoram, lower Sepik, Paulian… ***
*** A neckrest, Eastern Highlands Province, in the form of as stylized dog figure with head at either end, pecked designs on heads and old patina. Collected by Peter Hallinan in the 1970's, Okapa District, Eastern Highlands. 58 cm ***
*** A Garra mask, Hunstien Mountains, East Sepik Province, finely carved and ochre painted designs, on custom made stand. 83 cm ***
*** A fine fishing basket, Nissan Island, Nissan is a small Island close to Bougainville and culturally related to the Western Solomon Islands cultures. 49 cm ***
*** Steering paddle. Signed by carver. Purchased from owner on Kitava Island, Milne Bay, Trobriand Islands. Jutta Malnic collection ***
*** A good example of a clam shell disc used as currency, Solomon Islands, 19th century. Height 17 cm. Private collection Avalon, NSW ***
*** Hornbill bird figure, Abelam spirit house, East Sepik. Height 94 cm ***
*** Two stone fighting clubs, wooden handle with original rattan binding, Kukukuku people, Papua New Guinea, the Estate of Mr Neville Bourne, length 72 & 68 cm. Provenance: Neville Bourne went to New Guinea in 1967 as a Missionary/Linguist for the Baptist… ***
*** A Kundu drum, lizard skin intact, old patina throughout, classic open mouth form, incised pattern of multiple faces, decorated in natural ochres, damage to one side of base. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, height 96 cm ***
*** A Kundu drum, on wooden base, old patina, classic gaping mouth form, incised motif, decorated with natural pigments, Papuan Gulf region. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, height 92 cm ***
*** A wall plaque, of striking traditional design, crack to one side, May river, upper Sepik region PNG. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, 130 x 87 cm ***
*** A Dyak woven Mat, finely executed with woven and dyed pattern, from Borneo, Indonesia, 83 x 178 cm ***
*** A ritual pottery figure, Amaki, Waskuk Hills, Papua New Guinea, 26 x 23 x 18 cm ***
*** A giant shell ring, Yua, Yangoru, Prince Alexander Mts, Papua New Guinea, the band of nassa shells denotes ownership by a particular person, diameter 21 cm ***
*** A giant shell ring, Yua, Yangoru, Prince Alexander Mts, Papua New Guinea, this is a particularly thick ring which adds value in transactions, diameter 19 cm ***
*** A large engraved wooden Dyak feast platter, Borneo, Indonesia, showing traditional motifs including a frog & a warrior. Provenance: The Andrew Korda & Susan Pearson collection, diameter 49 cm ***
*** A large hornbill bird, Abelam, Kombikum village, Papua New Guinea, hardwood, well carved & painted in very good condition, used on Haus Tambaran, part of initiation ceremony, 90 x 55 cm ***
*** Mast Pulley figure, Murik Lakes, Papua New Guinea. 65 cm ***
*** Headdress, 'Judge's wig', Wahgi Valley, Papua New Guinea Highlands. 68 cm ***
*** An Abelam yam mask, an early example in hardwood decorated with ochres and ricketts blue. Both ears and septum pierced. The yam masks strong design and multiple pigmentation contribute to the transformation of the owners yams into ancestral spirits to… ***
*** A Malekula Island painted drum, Vanuatu, 242 cm ***
*** A pair of Abelam hair ornaments, finely woven and ochre painted, both on custom made stands. 49 cm (2) ***
*** Two woven hats, Mamberamo River, West Papua, together with an old and well used dance hat from Bobrongko village, lake Sentani *see field photo of Mamberamo River people 60 cm, 65 cm (3) ***
*** A Malekula ceremonial figure, Vanuatu, 124 cm ***
*** A Massim wave splitter, Papua New Guinea, 91 cm long ***
*** A carved war shield from the April River area. Height 169 cm ***
*** Three dance Wands, Trobriand Islands, 47 cm, 44 cm, 35.5 cm ***
*** A Toraja figure, Indonesia on mount (AF) 158 cm ***
*** A rare old drum, Boiken area, with deeply incised spirit faces and designs, old patination. 37 cm ***
*** Four paddle Terminals, Ramu river 42 cm ***
*** Two old yam masks, Abelam, East Sepik 24 cm ***
*** A large Phallic shaped Kris (ceremonial knife) holder from Bali, the majority of Balinese are Hindu and this represents Shiva Lingga. It has a male and female figure clutching the base of the large erect penis. It is painted in old red lacquer and still… ***
*** Two old Conch shell Trumpets, [2], unknown pacific origin, possible New Guinea or Polynesia. The smaller one comes in its own woven bag and the larger with a finely woven rope handle with shell decoration. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. Shells only… ***
*** Bainning Tapa cloth, New Britain, mid 20th century or earlier, finely painted black and red designs. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 137 x 67 cm ***
*** Two old incised bamboo containers, Aitinyo area, Sorong District West Papua, [2], These are owned and used by women to save important wealth items such as bird of paradiseFeathers & ancient woven Textiles. These textiles were traded from the Sultan of… ***
*** A pair of early aboriginal painted bark panels in the stylised form of a crocodile. Arnhem Land, Northern Australia 109 & 113 cm ***
*** Teak and copper reliquary figure, mounted. Provenance: ex-Michael Green collection. Michael Green was a wealthy South African collector who moved to Tasmania after several decades of amassing an extensive collection of African Art, including various… ***
*** A striking war shield with incised design decorated with natural ochres, Min people, West Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, condition: damage to edge, height 134 cm, width 39 cm ***
*** An old canoe prow, profusely carved, incorporating hornbill, fish, and stone axe motifs, mounted on custom metal stand, Asmat region West Papua. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, height 76 cm ***
*** A war shield, with ochre decoration to face, Mendi area, highlands PNG. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, height 120 cm ***
*** Timbuwara figure, woven fibre and natural earth pigments, Highlands region,Papua New Guinea, 66 cm x 150 cm ***
*** A male ancestral figure, in the form of an ancestral man standing atop an elaborate ancestral being, collection # 880170, Asmat region, West Papua. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, height 68 cm ***
*** A yam mask, finely woven on natural fibre decorated with polychrome ochres, Abelam people, Maprik region, Papua New Guinea. Provenance: Ron Perry, 24 x 29 cm ***
*** A Waskuk ritual bowl, with two formed ancestral faces showing mirthful expressions, Mino village, Washkuk Hills, upper Sepik region PNG. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, length 33 cm ***
*** A Splashboard, incised design to top, portion of base painted with pink enamel paint, signs of extensive use, Trobriand Islands PNG. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, length 78 cm ***
*** A Brassa river war shield, with striking incised design, painted with natural earth pigments, small hole in central portion of shield, Asmat region, West Papua. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, height 171 cm ***
*** Bronze Seahorse shaped vessel, Naga Morsarang, Toba Batak people of Sumatra, the zoomorphic deity with human figures on the back was used for magical potions, the hollow horn shape incised with foliate designs, good patina on a plexiglass stand.… ***
*** A Fijian kava bowl, on four tapered feet, with lug for storage. Provenance: Hans Allies, diameter 56 cm ***
*** A West New Britain dance shield, with prominent boss, design incised and painted with store paint, countersunk handle, Nakanai people, West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea, height 124 cm ***
*** A woven Helmut mask, 'Baba', finely woven, with strong vertical profile; painted in yellow and white ochres, with a cassowary feather headdress. Used in ceremonial dancing at important rituals, Southern Abelam people, Wosera, Sepik region, Papua New… ***
*** An Aboriginal painted shield, Western Desert, Australia, c.1960s, with vibrant design, height 49 cm ***
*** A profusely incised lute, Sumatra, Indonesia, good condition, signs of wear with minor chips and splits from age and use. Provenance: The Hugh Gallagher Collection, 71 x 10 x 10 cm ***
*** A dance mask, coastal Ramu area, north coast, Papua New Guinea, height 48 cm ***
*** Songye Mask of large proportions decorated with a series parallel incisions on the face and equipped with a woven fibre cape piece at rear, Congo. Mounted on wooden stand. 46 cm ***
*** A New Ireland Malangan figure by Lappin. Provenance: David Baker Collection. 85 cm ***