Small dance mask made of a turtle shell at its center, in a kind of frame made of soil and sagotree resin with multiple cowries inserts and painted in red, white and black, surrounded with remnants of cassowary feathers. Papua New Guinea, Middle Sepik region, Palimbei, Iatmul ethnic group. Mid 20th century period. Height: 21 cm. A few small old accidents, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: old Italian collection. IMPORTANT NOTE: export ONLY to the European Community.

This is an accurate model of an outrigger canoe from the Ellice Islands, now the island nation of Tuvalva. The v-shaped hull is made of an upper and lower sections,sewn together with string of plant fiber and forming a notched prow which provides stability in ocean waves. There is fishing platform, complete with net, fishing fly and weight, a bailer, 2 paddles and 2 masts. Only the sails are missing.

Overall length of model canoe is 25"...

From the Abelam tribe of Sepik River Papua, New Guinea, this traditional Kara'wut (also spelled kara ut,karaout and karahut)is made from woven plant fiber and decorated with boar tusks and nasa shells. Usually worn around the neck by the men only, on the chest or back, when facing battle the kara'ut would be clenched in the teeth, dangling from the mouth to impress the enemy with one's fierceness...

A very old New Guinea Massim lime spatula, made of intricately carved dark wood. The spatula portion is missing. This is not my specialty; identified by major auction house expert. A fine example of Melanesian ethnographic carving. Measures 12" by 4 1/4" (extreme dimensions). The thin tip is broken, as shown.

A baby carrier made of wood and woven rattan, decorated with a woven panel of glass beads, strings of glass beads, bronze bells, bone ornaments, animal teeth and a wooden sculpture. Dayak, Borneo, ca. 2nd quarter of the 20th century. The bead panel possibly earlier as they were passed on from generation to generation. H. 33 cm , W. 36 cm.