New Guinea tribal artefacts,nose and other shell ornaments

Admiralty Islands Tribal Art Collection: Statue, Ornament, Pottery Vase

Tribal statue, ornament and pottery vase, Papua New Guinea, Admiralty Islands, (3 items), the largest 36 cm high

Sepik spear thrower, Papua New Guinea, with a split bamboo shaft and carved wooden ornament in the form of a stylised bird, length 95 cm

Papua New Guinea Sepik River chest ornament, of mask form, set with cowrie shells, boars tusk and natural fibre, height 26 cm (not including robe)

Sepik River Ancestral Figure: Ornate Female Ancestor Sculpture

A female ancestral figure, Sepik River, Papua New Guinea, the standing figure with cowrie shell eyes inset to a red and black painted oversize head surmounted by a bird, with draping fibre ornaments extending from the ears and nose, leading to an exposed…

Bird-shaped Nose Ornament from Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea nose ornament, in the form of a bird

Massim Canoe Prow Ornament with Bird Carving

Papua New Guinea, Massim, canoe prow ornament, carved with bird, length 80 cm

Humboldt Bay Canoe Prow Ornament

West Papua, Humboldt bay area, canoe prow ornament with incised decoration and painted in tones of red and black, set on metal stand, length 61 cm

Gogodala Soft Wood Dance Ornament with Dual Heads

Papua New Guinea, Gogodala, soft wood dance ornament, with bird head to one end and man's head to the other, decorated in natural pigments of black, brown, white and ochre, a/f (bird missing eye decoration), length 88 cm and width 23 cm

West Papua Clam Shell Chest Ornament

A fine old ground clam shell chest ornament, West Papua, with original bush string binding, D 9 cm

Amanab Homicide Pectoral Ornament

A pectoral ornament, Amanab, West Sepik, Papua New Guinea, apparently worn by men who have committed homicide. Old glossy patina on tusks. Provenance: Collected in 1963, height 40 cm, width 9 cm

Trobriand Islands Canoe Splashboard

Massim canoe Splashboard (Lagim), Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea. Carved and engraved wood and natural pigments. Wooden canoe prow splash board, intricately carved on one face, plain on other, splash board placed transversely across the prow behind…

Papua New Guinea Pig Tusk Breast Ornament

Pig tusks breast ornament, north coast of Papua New Guinea. Pig tusks, seeds and natural fibre, length 30 x 13.5 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

Huli Back Ornament with Blyth's Hornbill and Pig Tusks

Rare fine Man's back ornament, Huli people, Papua New Guinea. Blyth's hornbill upper beak, pig tusks, plant fibre string and natural pigments, length 29 x 22 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

Highland Body Ornaments and Woven Items from Papua New Guinea

Group of Papua New Guinea Eastern highland body ornaments woven items shells, tusks, hair etc

Papua New Guinea Shell and Tusk Breast Ornament

Papua New Guinea breast ornament, Abstracted figural form embellished with shells and boar's tusks, 26 cm length

PNG Arm Accessories Set

Dog's tooth arm band, shell arm band and a shell and woven fibre belt ornament, Papua New Guinea, (3 items), the belt 100 cm long

Ramu River Chest Ornament

A pectoral chest ornament, dog's tooth, shell, trade bead, fibre, ochre and blue paint, Ramu River, Papua New Guinea, a??48 cm high

Ramu River Pectoral Chest Ornament

A pectoral chest ornament, dog's tooth, shell, tusk, fibre and ochre, lower Ramu River, Papua New Guinea, a??50 cm high

Ramu River Pectoral Ornament

A pectoral chest ornament, dog's tooth, shell, tusk, fibre and ochre, lower Ramu River, Papua New Guinea, 63 cm high

Papua New Guinea Headdress and Ornaments Set

Headdress and body ornaments, cassowary feather and fibre, Torres Strait and south coast of Papua New Guinea, early to mid 20th century, (4 items)

Fired clay head ornament from Papua New Guinea

A head ornament, fired clay, Yuat river, Papua New Guinea, mid 20th century, 22 cm high

Sepik Bird Dance Ornament

A dance ornament in the form of a bird's head, carved wood with remains of ochre and piped clay, lower Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea, circa 1950, 48 cm high

Papua New Guinea Swordfish Rostrum Ornament

An early swordfish rostrum ornament with clay and shell face decoration and earth pigment finish, north coast Papua New Guinea, circa 1950, 39 cm high

Papua New Guinea Traditional Artifacts

A woven cane headdress, carved wooden statue and feather dance ornament, Papua New Guinea, (3 items), 34 cm, 48 cm and 80 cm long

Yipwon Figure from Sepik, Papua New Guinea

A Yipwon figure, Sepik, Papua New Guinea. Sculpted from a single piece of timber, representing a yipwon spirit whose function was to help and protect men during hunting. Simplified shape of a body with a head, a leg and a foot, incorporating a series of…

Asmat Hornbill Headhunters Ornament

Hornbill headhunters ornament, Asmat people, Papua New Guinea. The Papuan hornbill (Aceros plicatus) is a headhunting symbol. Its feathers and beak are used as ornamental elements in many regions of New Guinea. Hornbill skull highly decorated with shells,…

Pacific Island Tribal Artifacts

Tribal arm band, neck ornament, gopi board and shark tooth club, Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands, (4 items), the club 100 cm long

Wooden Crocodile Ornament from Papua New Guinea

A fine carved wooden crocodile ornament with shell eyes, Papua New Guinea, 20th century, 140 cm long

Bailer Shell Chest Ornament

Papua New Guinea chest ornament. Bailer shell with cane and cord fastening. Length 27 cm (without cord)

Pigmented Fofana Chest Ornament from Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea chest ornament. Fofana in pigmented fibre and shell. Length 40 cm

Trobriand Islands Woven Body Ornaments Collection

A collection of woven body ornaments including 'Kwasi' woven arm bands, woven belts, boar's tusks & a nose bone, Kiriwina, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea, 1964, stand not included. Provenance: collected by Ross Kendall, who worked for the Australian…

Stylized Bird Canoe Ornament from Swagap Village, Upper Sepik

Old canoe ornament. Swagap village, upper Sepik. In the form of 2 stylized birds, collected 1965, height 90 cm

Motu Kap Kap Ornament from Papua New Guinea

Large old Kap Kap ornament. Motu people, central Province, Papua New Guinea. Collected c1950 by Joe Ketish, diameter 18 cm

Moka Chest Ornament with Repaired Kina Shell

A New Guinea Highlands Moka chest ornament, Papua New Guinea with wooden backing board and fibre binding, Kina shell has been cracked and traditionally repaired, diameter29 cm

New Guinea Highlands Bicep Ornaments

A pair of New Guinea Highlands bicep ornaments (2), finely woven fibre and cane with wooden side strut, one with cloth binding, height 27 cm, height 29 cm

Gourd and Tusk Necklace from Papua New Guinea

A gourd and pig tusk neck ornament, Papua New Guinea

Karawut: Sepik Coastal War Ornament

A body ornament, Karawut, Sepik coastal Region, Papu New Guinea, held in the mouth during warfare, height 33 cm

New Guinea Highlands Moka Chest Ornament

A New Guinea Highlands Moka chest ornament, Papua New Guinea, with wooden backing board and woven fibre binding, incorporating a kina shell and multiple pig's tusks and teeth, height 47 cm

Abelam Wall Panel with Palm Leaf Ornaments

Abelam painted wall panel, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, wood, of trapezoidal form, with woven and painted palm leaf ornaments, height 100 cm width 80 cm. Provenance: The Estate of Ray Hughes

Highlands Ornamental Headband and Pectoral

Highlands body ornaments, Nassa shell Headband, pig tusk & egg Cowrie pectoral, Wahgi Valley, length 35 cm [headband], diameter 30 cm [pectoral]

Abelam Karawut: Ritual Pectoral from Papua New Guinea

A ritual pectoral, 'Karawut, woven fibre chest ornament decorated with ochres and pigs tusks, Abelam people, Maprik area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, 31 x 10 cm

Shell-Decorated Bridal Wealth Veil from Sepik River

Bridal wealth Veil / ornament (ambusap), middle Sepik river area, this finely woven and shell decorated ornament was worn on the head during bridal ceremonies and is also an important form of traditional shell wealth that are family heirlooms. It is made…

Coastal Sepik Ancestor Figure with Bird Beak Nose

A large coastal Sepik ancestor figure, c. 1950's, a finely carved figure with exaggerated bird beak nose which is fully seen only in profile. The type of head ornament worn on this figure was the type men along the coastal Sepik area and Schouten Islands…

New Britain Feathered Mask

A fine New Britain mask,Papua New Guinea, of conical shape with elaborate feather headdress, designs painted in black on a white back ground, shell and fibre ear ornaments and wood a nose ornament. Provenance: Collected by Peter Hallinan (1938-2015).…

Old Fibre Doll from Papua New Guinea

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…

Eastern Highlands Figure with Ornamentation and Headdress

A fine Eastern Highlands figure with fine body ornaments & a feather headdress, for similar examples refer to the Stan Moriarty collection at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. His collection was exhibited in 'Plumes && pearl shells, Art of the New…

Sepik Spear Thrower Ornaments from Anthony Forge Collection

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…

Sepik River Spear Throwers: Bamboo & Hardwood

Two old Sepik river spear Throwers, [2], one of the 'Bamboo type' with a finely carved wood ornament in the form of a stylized bird, the other made from a single piece of hard wood with fine incised designs on both sides and old patina. Provenance: Todd…

Dani Warrior's Bag and Ornaments from West Papua

A fine Dani warrior's bag & two Dani ornaments, West Papua, [3], only warriors of a certain age and status can wear this type of feathered bag on their back (see field photo). Dead birds is a 1963 documentary film by Robert Gardner about the Dani people…

New Guinea Feather Ornaments and Beetle Headband

Two fine feather ornaments from New Guinea, together with a rare green iridescent beatle headband, [3], finely woven and with beautifully coloured feathers. Provenance: Collected by Peter Hallinan (1938-2015). Peter was a well-known and respected field…

Ramu River Dance Mask with Ondogo Nose Ornaments

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…

Marind Anim Dema Ornaments and Bird Figure

A group of Marind Anim Dema ornaments (Imo cult), including a bird Dema figure. 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 at the…

Marind Anim Dema Ornaments and Red Abrus Seeds

A group of Marind Anim Dema ornaments (Mayo cult), together with a large bag (about 5kg) of Marind Anim red Abrus seeds for repairing Dema Costumes. These were left over from the collections Todd Barlin made for major museums including a full Dema…

Marind Anim Dema Ornaments from Todd Barlin's Collection

A group of Marind Anim Dema ornaments (Imo cult), 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 at the Linden Museum in Stuttgart. *see…

Marind Anim Dema Ornaments: Field Photos by Todd Barlin

A group of Marind Anim Dema ornaments (Mayo cult), 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 at the Linden Museum in Stuttgart.…

Marind Anim Dema Bird Ornaments for Tetale Ceremony

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…

Ancient Canoe Ornament with Cultural Significance

An old and Used canoe prow ornament, Humboldt Bay area, West Papua; on a custom stand, finely carved in the form of a bird and stylized fish. 'I collected these in 1986. When I saw all the canoes had these old canoe ornaments and I asked to buy some, the…

Geelvink Bay Canoe Ornaments: Memories and Wealth Objects

Three 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…

Geelvink Bay Canoe Ornaments from West Papua

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…

Geelvink Bay Canoe Ornaments from West Papua

Four 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…

Geelvink Bay Canoe Ornaments: Memories and Wealth Objects

Vintage Cassowary Feather War Shield from Papua New Guinea

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,…

Ramu Ondogo Nose Ornaments Set

Three sets of pearl shell nose ornaments, Ramu area, 19th century; in graduated sizes as they were worn in a man's nose. These type of old nose ornaments called 'Ondogo' are depicted on old masks from the Ramu area and were worn by most men in pre-contact…

Nose Ornaments from Asmat, Santa Cruz and Java Islands

Five nose ornaments, on custom stands, two old Asmat nose ornaments, one from bailer shell and one made from pig bone, Yow village, Central Asmat, one from Santa Cruz Island and one from Ontong, Java Island. 10 - 15 cm (5)

Antique Nose Ornaments from Papua New Guinea

Twenty six old nose ornaments, 19th century or earlier; Todd Barlin spent more than 30 years saving the best examples of nose ornaments for his own personal collection. These nose ornaments are generations old and belonged to people's ancestors. Nose…

Ornate Shell and Tusk Wealth Decorations from Papua New Guinea

Six shell and tusk wealth ornaments, two Lumi area nassa shell Poli ornaments; two bailer shell head ornaments, Southern Highlands; two double boars tusk and shell ornaments, Tufi area. 21 - 31 cm, 11 - 13 cm, 15 - 40 cm (6)

New Guinea Body Ornaments: Pig Tally, Shell Necklaces, Seed Belt

Five New Guinea body ornaments, including: a man's pig wealth tally ornament, mount Hagen; a fine old Dani warrior's bailer shell necklace, Baliem Valley; two nassa shell and fibre ornaments, and a fine multi strand seed belt, Sepik. 25 - 86 cm (5)

Schouten Islands Hair Ornament with Porcelain Dog Teeth Decorations

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…

Abelam Hair Ornaments on Stands

A pair of Abelam hair ornaments, finely woven and ochre painted, both on custom made stands. 49 cm (2)

New Guinea Body Ornaments and Magic Stone Collection

A collection of New Guinea body ornaments, together with a magic stone from the Mendi Valley, which was collected by Warwick Irvine in 1968. 7 - 40 cm (8)

Shell and Seed Ornament Collection

A collection of eight shell and seeded ornaments, the main ornament being a large and fine bride price shell necklace from West New Britain with shell money dangles, plus various others. 40 cm (8)

Kina Pearl Shell Pectoral Ornaments from Papua New Guinea

A collection of nine old Kina pearl shell pectoral ornaments, Southern Highlands and Papuan Gulf areas,Papua New Guinea; gold lipped pearl shells were highly valued among most of the tribes on mainland New Guinea . They were traded up from the coast, when…

Ancient Glass Earrings from West Papua's Dimbo Culture

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…

Kula Ornaments from Papua New Guinea

Ten shell and beaded Kula ornaments, Massim people, Milne Bay Province,Papua New Guinea ; the Kula exchange or Kula ring, is a ceremonial exchange system conducted in the Milne Bay Province. All Kula valuables are non-use items traded purely for purposes…

Papuan Gulf Shell Ornaments: Ear, Nose Adornment and Currency

Fourteen ancient shell ornaments, Papuan Gulf, used as ear and nose ornaments and as a currency. 6 - 9 cm (14)

Old Shell Ornaments from New Guinea

Seven old shell wealth and body ornaments, New Guinea . 11 cm, 13 cm, 17 cm, 23 cm, 37 cm, 44 cm, 58 cm (7)

Old Nassa Shell and Woven Ornaments Collection

Five old Nassa shell and woven ornaments, including: three Lumi area (Poli) wealth objects, together with two nassa shell headbands from the Eastern Highlands. 31 x 29 cm, 28 x 22 cm, 37 x 16 cm, 39 x 13 cm, 51 x 11 cm (5)

New Guinea Woven and Shell Ornaments Collection

Four fine old woven and shell ornaments, New Guinea, including: two woven and shell bride price chest ornaments (in the form of faces), Avitip area, upper Sepik River, together with an Abelam yam mask, and an Abelam karahut ornament. 49 cm, 50 cm, 26 cm,…

Woven and Shell Ornaments and Armband from Papua New Guinea

Two fine old woven and shell ornaments (Fofona), Bena Bena area, Eastern Highlands,Papua New Guinea, early 20th century; together with a fine old woven and shell armband, Madang, and Lumi woven and shell wealth object (Poli). 41 x 35 cm, 35 x 31 cm; 26 x…

Eastern Highlands Fofona Ornaments, Early 20th Century

Four fine old woven and shell ornaments (Fofona), Bena Bena area, Eastern Highlands,Papua New Guinea; early 20th century. 40 x 32 cm, 36 x 27 cm, 28 x 26 cm, 42 x 36 cm (4)

Old Shell Wealth Ornaments from Sepik, Papua New Guinea

Six old shell wealth ornaments, Sepik area,Papua New Guinea; including old shell and teeth and trade bead ornaments. 12 - 45 cm (6)

Boiken Kap Kap Ornaments with Bailer Shell Overlay

Five fine old Kap Kap ornaments, Boiken area, the finely carved designs overlaid bailer shell. 9 - 11 cm

Dogs Teeth Ornaments from Ramu Area

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)

Shell Ornaments and Money Disc from Pacific Islands

Two Solomon Islands shell body ornaments and a Boiken village Papua New Guinea shell money disc,

Murik Lakes Ladle & Bailer Shell Chest Ornament

A Bailer shell chest ornament and a Murik Lakes figural ceremonial ladle, Papua New Guinea, the latter, 66 cm long

Massim Canoe Prow with Protective Ornament

A Massim Region canoe prow Splitter with Its canoe ornament, Taburi, the ornament served a protective function, 111.5 cm high with ornament.

Tribal Body Ornaments: Shell, Pendant, and Neckband

Three tribal body ornaments, including Papuan gulf bailer shell pendant, north Mailata chieftains pendant and Asmat tribe fibre neckband, the latter, 30.5 x 25.5 cm

Papuan Object Collection: Axes, Armbands, and Ornaments

A collection of Papuan objects, including three West Papuan ground axe blades, Sepik status armband, cassowary feather head band, opossum tooth armband, West Papuan neckband, highlands beatle headband and bailer shell chest ornament, the latter, 25.5 x 17…