ANTIQUE DYAK HEADHUNTERS CHARM FETISH HEAD HUNTERS

Antiques: Regional Art: Oceanic: Artifacts Pre 1900: item #770978
zc72

This is a rare Dyak headhunter’s helmet ornament from Borneo dating to about 1850. It represents an ancestor in a seated position with a serene countenance which is indicative of a natural passing and not having been beheaded by an enemy as was so often the case. This figure was mounted on the split rattan helmet which was worn by all Dyaks and served to notify all that the wearer was from a family of survivors and to be feared. It is 3 3/4 inches high and in condition as shown. ZC72

RARE SALOMON ISLANDS SPEAR OCEANIC

Antiques: Regional Art: Oceanic: Weapons Pre 1900: item #770928
h85

This is a genuine hand-carved palm wood spear from the Salomon Islands dating about 1875. It is 6 1/2 feet long, made from one piece with a elongated egg-shaped butt and slender shaft with the spearpoint carved on the end. There is a segment of carved decorations below that. The Salomon Islands are populated by Melanesians who today number less than a third of a million people. At the time the spear was made there were less than 100,000 inhabitants of which about 25,000 would have been adult mal... Click for details

OCEANIC ART ANTIQUE SAMOAN CRICKET BAT

Antiques: Regional Art: Oceanic: Artifacts Pre 1900: item #770918
x91

This is a rare early Samoan cricket bat with a fine pedigree. It is made in Samoa, probably about mid 19th century. It is 36 1/2" long and uniformly tapered-not shaped like a regular cricket bat. It has 17 bands of braided sennit in three strands each, all intact. It is from the collection at Grantham House, Lincolnshire, England then the famous Rubin Rubins Collection which was sold in London in 1990. It bears the London auction tag and another old tag, presumably from the Grantham House sale. ... Click for details

ANTIQUE OCEANIC BOW

Antiques: Regional Art: Oceanic: Weapons Pre 1900: item #770912
zd15

This is an antique bow from the Solomon Islands. It dates to about 1800-50 and is complete with its original split cane string which is a very rare feature. It is 57 1/2 inches long and in condition as shown. It was purchased at auction from specialist weapons auctioneers Wallis & Wallis in Lewes, Sussex, on March 19, 1986 lot 1200. Oceanic weapons are about the hottest market in the antiques field today and finding an honest old untouched and complete item acquired in the 80s like this one... Click for details

Antique Lower Sepik River Figure - Papua New Guinea

Antiques: Regional Art: Oceanic: Sculpture Pre 1920: item #768254
0008

Beautifully carved antique wooden figure from the Lower Sepik River area of New Guinea. This piece is quite old, dating from the early part of the 20th century. Judging from the carving style, wear, encrusted patina, and general over-all appearance, my guess would be pre-1920s.

This piece is mounted on a wooden base and measures 18.25" with the base and 16.5" the figure by itself. ... Click for details

Antique Maori Wood and Shell Carved Bowl - New Zealand

Antiques: Regional Art: Oceanic: Sculpture Pre 1920: item #767974
0006

Rare antique Maori hand-carved wooden bowl, from New Zealand, late 19th or early 20th century. This piece was carved in the form of a Maori face, with inlaid shell eyes and a whole Paua shell, inset into the wood, as the mouth. The geometric swirling designs around the sides of the bowl represent traditional tribal tatoos.

This bowl was no doubt made to sell to travelers visiting New Zealand, rather than for tribal use,... Click for details

OCEANIC ART HEADHUNTER’S LIME CONTAINER

Antiques: Regional Art: Oceanic: Artifacts Pre 1900: item #763134
bs36

This is an antique lime container of the Ifugao headhunters of the North Philippines. It is made of two carved wood tubes secured by a matrix of basket work. The Ifugao are well known for the quality of basket work and this is a good example of that craft. Its dated to the 19th century when headhunting was practiced as part of their religion and probably was taken during the Philippine Insurrection of 1899. It has an old label reading Lime Container Ifugao. Lime was used in the Pacific Islan... Click for details

Extraordinary tongan warriors wrist band

Antiques: Regional Art: Oceanic: Artifacts Pre 1920: item #759366
spr08-292

Second half of the 19th century. 1 5/8” width made of dyed split cane, in 19 ranks with yellow and tan diamonds. Each splint just over 1/64” width and woven into a seam free circle. The outer ranks blind finished in the round. Like the Chinese “blind stitch” this feat of weaving defies comprehension as the physical scale seems much too small for human finger execution. Evidently collected as new and in virtually perfect preservation. Decorative and identifying the warrior, they also preve... Click for details

TONGAN CANNIBALS COOKING PADDLE.

Antiques: Regional Art: Oceanic: Artifacts Pre 1920: item #759362
spr08-291

Second half of the 19th century. One piece wood. 12 3/4” length with expanded terminal pierced for suspension as above. Expanded, slightly concave face. Handle with rich glossy patina from use. Used to prepare limbs and organs which were boiled prior to consumption.

TONGAN CANNIBAL’S SPOON.

Antiques: Regional Art: Oceanic Pre 1920: item #759360
spr08-290

. Second half of the 19th century. Elegant functional form, carved from a coconut.. 5 1/8” length. Wonderful age patina. Tonga, a Polynesian monarchy, is the only Pacific culture which was never colonized by Europeans. Cannibalism was an integral part of Tongan native religion and was abandoned reluctantly in the early 20th century with vestiges remaining well into the century.