TONGAN CANNIBAL’S SPOON.

Antiques: Regional Art: Oceanic Pre 1920: item #759360
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. 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.

PRECONTACT SOLOMON ISLANDS LIME SPATULA

Antiques: Regional Art: Oceanic: Artifacts Pre 1900: item #759353
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Used in the preparation of burnt shells into white pigment. One piece black wood, 21 3/4” length. Rectangular form shaft with expanded medial and convex section stirring blade below. The grip formed as a full relief figure in elaborate head dress. The body incised with typical curvilinear geometry with remnants of lime inlay. Made without the use of metal tools. The Solomon Islands were discovered in the 16th century but little contacted until the mid 19th century, the period to which this... Click for details

Boiken Arapesh adze New Guinea shell blade RARE old

Antiques: Regional Art: Oceanic: Artifacts Pre 1910: item #756622

This is a very fine and rare ceremonial adze from the Arapesh or Boiken people of Papua New Guinea near the Prince Alexander mountians. It is pre-contact and stone carved with the original old clam shell blade. Carved with 2 powerful ancestral faces on the top and several faces on the handle, 24" long, no restorations or non-native repairs. dates to about 1900. ex. Michael Hamson.

ANTIQUE NEW HEBRIDES CARVED SHIP MODEL C.1850-70

Antiques: Regional Art: Oceanic: Artifacts Pre 1900: item #754631
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14 3/4” length. The hull made in two pieces with elegant bottom and faceted partially enclosed upper with incised line decoration. The two secured together with braided split cane. Additional solid outrigger hull with two connecting arms. All connections of that assembly made with brown cord. Complete, sound and showing its age. Models such as this were made to trade to sailors aboard the supply ships which visited the islands and traded for copra. Rare example of early Oceanic art.

HEAVY ANTIQUE AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINE BOOMERANG

Antiques: Regional Art: Oceanic: Weapons Pre 1800: item #754010
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Good early example. 27” overall. Carved one side in diamond shaped hatched panels. The other smooth. Mottled orange pigment overall. One small contemporary gum patch to stabilize a knot. Excellent and exceptionally large heavy example.

Sepik river dog tooth necklace pre-1900 New Guinea nice

Antiques: Regional Art: Oceanic Pre 1900: item #753938

This is a really special find. This item came attached to a mask that I purchased for my personal collection. The mask is a documented piece collected by Dr. Baesseler before 1899 and then purchased by the Linden Museum, I have the complete provenance for those who are interested. The necklace was collected at the same time, though it is not specifically mentioned ( I have old photographs from the previous owner showing the mask and this necklace together ). Approximately 20" long and very f... Click for details

Sentani lime stick collected 1960's Papua New Guinea

Antiques: Regional Art: Oceanic Pre 1920: item #749216

This is a fine and rare lime stick from the Lake Sentani region of Irian Jaya in New Guinea. Was collected in the 1960's in the field. Nice patina, and signs of wear and use. Motif is a standing male figure with an abstract animal on top of his head. Rare for this motif. A highly collectible piece. About 16" overall, figure is large at 7 1/4". Excellent condition, no repairs or restoration. I have more images of close up please email me at wdc@mcleodusa.net for them.

Australian Aboriginal coolamon bowl very old RARE

Antiques: Regional Art: Oceanic Pre 1900: item #747124

This is a rare find, a small ( about 13" long )aborigine coolamon from Australia. These were used as bowls and also as digging implements. This piece is well over 100 years old, appears to be carved without metal tools, and has been very well used. Please see the images. The patina is much richer in person than the images show.

INTRIGUING EXAMPLE ANTIQUE OCEANIC SAMOAN WAR CLUB

Antiques: Regional Art: Oceanic: Weapons Pre 1900: item #736594
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14 3/4” length and carved from a single piece of wood in the shape of a ship carpenter’s axe. The haft of elegant early European form and the head hand forged with a small back claw. That form predates the machine made axes of the mid century. Shows wear and use with some age encrustation.

HUGE ANTIQUE FIJIAN SHORT CLUB BOWAI

Antiques: Regional Art: Oceanic: Weapons Pre 1900: item #736243
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21 1/4” length. Tapered with domed top and integral lug to the base. Decorated with bands of chevrons and hound’s tooth and stars, inlaid with lime, with remnants remaining. Surface smooth over minor blemishes. Good glossy patina and light encrustation. Largest example we have seen.