The collection of New Guinea tribal artifacts began in the late 19th century during the period of European colonialism and exploration of the region. Many early collectors were anthropologists, missionaries, or colonial administrators who were interested in documenting the diverse cultures and societies of the region.

The first known collector of New Guinea tribal artifacts was Sir William MacGregor, the Governor of British New Guinea from 1895 to 1898. MacGregor was an avid collector of artifacts and ethnographic objects, and he acquired a large collection of New Guinea tribal artifacts during his time in the region. He was followed by other collectors, including the American anthropologist Margaret Mead, who conducted extensive fieldwork in the region in the early 20th century and amassed a significant collection of artifacts.

During the early 20th century, many New Guinea tribal artifacts were acquired by museums and private collectors in Europe and North America. These more...

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A Papua New Guinea warriors dog tooth necklace, 150 cm length,…

A Papua New Guinea warriors dog tooth necklace, 150 cm length, collection of John Perkins

A Papua New Guinea warriors dog tooth necklace, 96 cm length,…

A Papua New Guinea warriors dog tooth necklace, 96 cm length, collection of John Perkins

A Papua New Guinea warriors dog tooth necklace, with…

A Papua New Guinea warriors dog tooth necklace, with traditional fine woven flax cord. 122 cm length, collection of John Perkins

Extravagantly large Papua New Guinea warriors dog tooth…

Extravagantly large Papua New Guinea warriors dog tooth necklace, 470 cm approximate length, collection of John Perkins

A large Papua New Guinea warriors dog tooth necklace, 220 cm…

A large Papua New Guinea warriors dog tooth necklace, 220 cm length, collection of John Perkins

A Papua New Guinea warriors dog tooth necklace, 120 cm length,…

A Papua New Guinea warriors dog tooth necklace, 120 cm length, collection of John Perkins

Ramu River ceremonial ladder from Papua New Guinea, 167 cm…

Ramu River ceremonial ladder from Papua New Guinea, 167 cm length, collection of John Perkins

Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, stylized ancestor…

Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, stylized ancestor figures painted with dark pigment are displayed on one side of the blade. 193 cm length, collection of John Perkins

Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, stylized ancestor…

Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, stylized ancestor figures painted with dark pigment are displayed on one side of the blade. 162 cm length, collection of John Perkins

Admiralty Islands spear. Obsidian tip, fibre, trade beads, and…

Admiralty Islands Obsidian Spear with Trade Beads and Ochre

Admiralty Islands spear. Obsidian tip, fibre, trade beads, and ochre pigments, length 197 cm

Mendi valley war shield (Worrumbi). Southern Highlands, Papua…

Mendi Valley War Shield from Papua New Guinea

Mendi valley war shield (Worrumbi). Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea. Wooden shield with fibre suspension cord and natural red and white pigments, height 132 cm

Tribal statue, ornament and pottery vase, Papua New Guinea,…

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

A large anchor stone from Papua New Guinea, 6kg weight

A large anchor stone from Papua New Guinea, 6kg weight

Anchor stone from Papua New Guinea, 4kg weight

Anchor stone from Papua New Guinea, 4kg weight

A large anchor stone from Papua New Guinea, 6.7kg weight

A large anchor stone from Papua New Guinea, 6.7kg weight

A large anchor stone from Papua New Guinea, 9.5kg weight

A large anchor stone from Papua New Guinea, 9.5kg weight

A large anchor stone from Papua New Guinea, 8kg weight

A large anchor stone from Papua New Guinea, 8kg weight

A large anchor stone from Papua New Guinea, 3.5kg weight

A large anchor stone from Papua New Guinea, 3.5kg weight

A good Papua New Guinea warriors dog tooth necklace,…

A good Papua New Guinea warriors dog tooth necklace, approximately 175 cm length

Impressive Papua New Guinea warriors dog tooth necklace,…

Impressive Papua New Guinea warriors dog tooth necklace, binding coming loose in the middle. Approximately 450 cm long.

Adze from Papua New Guinea, Considerable throughout the piece.…

Adze from Papua New Guinea, Considerable throughout the piece. 19 cm

Adze from Papua New Guinea, minor damage to the blade and pole.…

Adze from Papua New Guinea, minor damage to the blade and pole. 13.5 cm length

A large adze from Papua New Guinea, Considerable chipping to…

A large adze from Papua New Guinea, Considerable chipping to both the blade and poll. 25 cm length

A Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, displaying stylized…

A Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, displaying stylized ancestor figures painted with dark pigment to one side of the blade, height 157 cm

A Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, displaying stylized…

A Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, displaying stylized ancestor figures painted with dark pigment to one side of the large blade, height 179 cm

A Papua New Guinea Sago storage jar from the Aibom Vllage, raku…

A Papua New Guinea Sago storage jar from the Aibom Vllage, raku fired coiled clay vessel with flared rim, decorated with zoomorphic relief depictions of mythological spirits painted with kaolin pigments. Woven rattan base,

Papua New Guinea Oro Province tapa cloth, 130 x 61 cm

Papua New Guinea Oro Province tapa cloth, 130 x 61 cm

A large Papua New Guinea Timbuwarra, the flat weave cane in…

A large Papua New Guinea Timbuwarra, the flat weave cane in human form. Painted with red, white and brown ochre pigment. From Pangia, Southern Highlands, height 100 cm.

A Papua New Guinea penis gourd, original woven binding to the…

A Papua New Guinea penis gourd, original woven binding to the opening with suspension/safety cord attached, length 34 cm

Papua New Guinea, gogodala, soft wood dance paddle in the form…

Papua New Guinea, gogodala, soft wood dance paddle in the form of a snake, decorated in natural pigments of brown, white and ochre, a/f (wear and chips to paint on paddle), 64 cm x 13 cm

Sepik River woven turtle, in natural fibre and pigments, set…

Sepik River woven turtle, in natural fibre and pigments, set with cowrie shell eyes, length 40 cm

Sepik River woven crocodile, in natural fibre, the body…

Sepik River woven crocodile, in natural fibre, the body decorated with ochre tones, set with a crocodile head with cowrie shell eyes, length 61.5 cm

Papua New Guinea, Highlands, Tambu shell pectoral, with tooth…

Papua New Guinea, Highlands, Tambu shell pectoral, with tooth to end

Papua New Guinea Sepik River chest ornament, of mask form, set…

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)

Papua New Guinea Sepik River house/gable mask, in the form of…

Papua New Guinea Sepik River house/gable mask, in the form of elongated head, set with cowrie shell eyes, flanked by ears, with elongated beak, with oval shaped back, in natural tones of black and white, height 40 cm

Papua New Guinea Sepik River house mask, of lozenge form, in…

Papua New Guinea Sepik River house mask, of lozenge form, in the form of elongated mask with animal nose, accented with cowrie shells and natural fibre, in tones of natural white, black and ochre pigments, height 73 cm

A ceremonial shell inlaid mask, coastal Sepik River Region,…

A ceremonial shell inlaid mask, coastal Sepik River Region, Papua New Guinea, 70 cm high

A large ceremonial painted shield, Blackwater, Sepik River, New…

Sepik River Shield: Ceremonial Art from New Guinea

A large ceremonial painted shield, Blackwater, Sepik River, New Guinea, the incised and ochre painted face with inset shell eyes, 78 x 37 cm

Two large Massim lime spatulas, Trobriand Islands, the largest…

Massim Lime Spatulas: Trobriand Islands' Impressive 83 cm Length

Two large Massim lime spatulas, Trobriand Islands, the largest 83 cm long

A decorative flute from the Middle Sepik River region and a…

Sepik River Flute and Embellished Staff: Ancient Artifacts Unveiled

A decorative flute from the Middle Sepik River region and a hardstone embellished staff, the flute 138 cm long when assembled

A ceremonial paddle, Trobriand Islands, 153 cm high

Trobriand Islands Ceremonial Paddle: 153 cm of Traditional Artistry

A ceremonial paddle, Trobriand Islands, 153 cm high

A decorative shell and feather mask, Papua New Guinea, 34 cm…

Papua New Guinea Shell & Feather Mask: Decorative Delight

A decorative shell and feather mask, Papua New Guinea, 34 cm diameter

An early Massim lime spatula, Papua New Guinea, 39 cm long

Early Massim lime spatula from Papua New Guinea (39 cm)

An early Massim lime spatula, Papua New Guinea, 39 cm long

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

Bird-shaped Nose Ornament from Papua New Guinea

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

Petit Papua New Guinea, Maprik, yam mask, length 15 cm

Maprik Yam Mask: Small but Mighty

Petit Papua New Guinea, Maprik, yam mask, length 15 cm

Papua New Guinea, Trobriand Islands tortoiseshell lime Spatua,…

Trobriand Islands Lime Spatula with Scrolled Handle

Papua New Guinea, Trobriand Islands tortoiseshell lime Spatua, with scrolled handle, length 15 cm

Papua New Guinea, Sepik over modelled wood head hunter trophy…

Sepik Head Hunter Trophy Skull with Shells and Hair

Papua New Guinea, Sepik over modelled wood head hunter trophy skull, decorated with hair and shells, painted in tones of ochre, red and white, height 26 cm

Papua New Guinea, Abelam, yam mask, small, tightly woven and…

Abelam Yam Mask: Rare Quality and Great Form

Papua New Guinea, Abelam, yam mask, small, tightly woven and very well patinated Maprik yam mask of the type used to decorate individual long yams at harvest exchange ceremonies. Classic example of rare quality, showing good age, tight weaving, excellent…

Solomon Buka Island man & Mary figures, beautiful old stylised…

19th Century Solomon Buka Island Couple Portrait Figures

Solomon Buka Island man & Mary figures, beautiful old stylised realistic portrait figures of a lady and man,19th century hair style, in black with red hair, height 52 cm and 59 cm (2)

New Guinea mask, with ochre pigments, length 31 cm

Ochre New Guinea Mask - 31 cm

New Guinea mask, with ochre pigments, length 31 cm

Papua New Guinea, Gogodala, soft wood dance ornament, with bird…

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

Papua New Guinea, Abelam Maprik mask, with traces of natural…

Abelam Maprik Mask with Natural Pigment Traces

Papua New Guinea, Abelam Maprik mask, with traces of natural pigment in tones of red, white and black, height 18 cm and width 8 cm

Papua New Guinea, April river, Kupkein village, paddle finial,…

Paddle Finial with Incised Decoration from Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea, April river, Kupkein village, paddle finial, with incised decoration, set on stand, height 26 cm and 27 cm (including stand)

West Papua ceremonial female dance apron, Cenderawasih…

Cenderawasih Bay Female Dance Apron

West Papua ceremonial female dance apron, Cenderawasih (Geelvink) bay, in yellow, green, red and blue beads, 60 cm x 52 cm

Papua New Guinea, Witu Islands dance mask, decorated in tones…

Witu Islands Dance Mask with Shell Accents

Papua New Guinea, Witu Islands dance mask, decorated in tones of red, white and black and accented with shells, with fabric covering for neck, a/f (damage to fabric), height 105 cm

A Papua New Guinea clay on raffia painted mask, decorated with…

Papua New Guinea Tribal Mask with Natural Decorations

A Papua New Guinea clay on raffia painted mask, decorated with boar tusk, cowrie shell, and cassowary feathers, 31 cm height

A Papua New Guinea calabash lime container with stopper and…

Incised Calabash Lime Container from Papua New Guinea

A Papua New Guinea calabash lime container with stopper and incised decoration, 14 cm height

Papua New Guinea body adornment, incised wood with coloured…

Papua New Guinea Adorned Wood with Coloured Pigments

Papua New Guinea body adornment, incised wood with coloured pigments, 29 cm at widest point

A Papua New Guinea pale green Chloromelanite adze, tear drop…

PNG Pale Green Chloromelanite Tear Drop Adze

A Papua New Guinea pale green Chloromelanite adze, tear drop shape. Considerable Chipping to poll and blade edge, 25 cm length

Papua New Guinea Sepik River mask wall hanging with cassowary…

Sepik River Mask Wall Hanging with Cassowary Feathers

Papua New Guinea Sepik River mask wall hanging with cassowary feathers, 49 cm height

A Papua New Guinea Sepik River Mask

Sepik River Mask from Papua New Guinea

A Papua New Guinea Sepik River Mask

A Papua New Guinea Ramu River Mask

Ramu River Mask from Papua New Guinea

A Papua New Guinea Ramu River Mask

A Papua New Guinea Aibom village Sago storage jar, raku fired…

Anthropomorphic Sago Jar with Raffia Stand

A Papua New Guinea Aibom village Sago storage jar, raku fired coiled clay vessel with flared rim and decorated with anthropomorphic face in relief, painted with black, red and kaolin pigments. With raffia stand, 35 cm height

Papua New Guinea middle Sepik River Latmul Mei mask, 20th…

Sepik River Mei Mask

Papua New Guinea middle Sepik River Latmul Mei mask, 20th century Mei mask. Wood, pigments, cowry shells, boar tusk, hair and clay, Provenance: Dame Jenny Gibbs collection, 76 cm height

Papua New Guinea mask, decorated with cassowary feathers, boar…

Papua New Guinea Mask with Cassowary Feathers and Boar Tusks

Papua New Guinea mask, decorated with cassowary feathers, boar tusks and cowrie shells, Provenance: Dame Jenny Gibbs collection, 55 cm height

A Papua New Guinea warriors dog tooth necklace, 115 cm length

Papua New Guinea Warrior's 115cm Dog Tooth Necklace

A Papua New Guinea warriors dog tooth necklace, 115 cm length

Papua New Guinea cut shell Currency, bound together with…

Papua New Guinea Shell Currency on Wooden Spike

Papua New Guinea cut shell Currency, bound together with platted fiber on a wooden spike, 34 cm length

A Papua New Guinea tapa from the Oro Region, Provenance: Nigel…

Papua New Guinea Tapa from Oro Region

A Papua New Guinea tapa from the Oro Region, Provenance: Nigel Hillind collection, 125 cm x 76 cm

A chalice from Papua New Guinea, raku fired clay with janus…

Janus-faced Chalice from Papua New Guinea

A chalice from Papua New Guinea, raku fired clay with janus faces in high relief, painted with black and kaolin pigments. Aibom village, Chambri lakes. Some surface losses, 12 cm height

Male and female figures, Papua New Guinea, raku fired clay.…

Papua New Guinea Raku Fired Clay Figures

Male and female figures, Papua New Guinea, raku fired clay. Dimiri village, East Sepik District, 20 cm height

A Papua New Guinea meat cooking pots, raku fired clay pot with…

Fish-handled Meat Pot from Papua New Guinea

A Papua New Guinea meat cooking pots, raku fired clay pot with stylised fish handles in high relief, comes with ceramic base. Zumin village, Markham valley, Morobe Province, 24 cm at widest point

A good Papua New Guinea Sago storage jar from the Aibom Vllage,…

Aibom Village Sago Storage Jar with Mythological Relief Depictions

A good Papua New Guinea Sago storage jar from the Aibom Vllage, raku fired coiled clay vessel with flared rim, decorated with zoomorphic relief depictions of mythological spirits painted with black and kaolin pigments. Woven ratan base, 33 cm height

A Papua New Guinea ceremonial spirit head vessel, raku fired…

Papua New Guinea Spirit Head Vessel

A Papua New Guinea ceremonial spirit head vessel, raku fired ovoid vessel tapering to base. East Sepik District, 21 cm length

A Papua New Guinea Sepik River yam mask, woven fiber, 46 cm…

Sepik River Yam Mask: Woven Fiber Art

A Papua New Guinea Sepik River yam mask, woven fiber, 46 cm height

A Papua New Guinea warriors dog tooth Necklace

PNG Dog Tooth Necklace: A Warrior's Treasure

A Papua New Guinea warriors dog tooth Necklace

Ancestral mask, Lower Sepik River, PNG, height 25.5 cm

Sepik Ancestral Mask

Ancestral mask, Lower Sepik River, PNG, height 25.5 cm

A pair of miniature Damarou Sago pots, Aibom village, Papua New…

Miniature Sago Pots from Papua New Guinea

A pair of miniature Damarou Sago pots, Aibom village, Papua New Guinea, Sago pots are made from rings of softened clay that are moulded together and then pulled upwards, creating the thin walls of these vessels. They are used for the storage of flour.…

A cowrie shell Wewak necklace, Papua New Guinea, used as a body…

Cowrie Shell Wewak Necklace from Papua New Guinea

A cowrie shell Wewak necklace, Papua New Guinea, used as a body adornment. Made with a 152 cowrie shells that have been bound together with plant fibre cord. Length 59 cm, width 3 cm

A pig hunting net, Papua New Guinea, middle 20th century. Used…

Papuan Pig Hunting Net

A pig hunting net, Papua New Guinea, middle 20th century. Used for hunting and capturing pigs. Made from twisted plant fibre rope. The net has an open end with long cords for securing the catch. Length 405 cm

A Wewak neck adornment, Papua New Guinea, worn around the neck.…

Wewak Shell Necklace from Papua New Guinea

A Wewak neck adornment, Papua New Guinea, worn around the neck. The adornment is made with a pandaus base. Hundred of small shells have been sewen into place. Height 18.2 cm, width 56 cm

A clay vessel, Papua New Guinea, used for the production and…

Papua New Guinea Clay Food Vessel

A clay vessel, Papua New Guinea, used for the production and storing of foods. Made from eathernware in a semi-sphere form. The clay has been blackened from sitting over a fire. Height 13.5 cm, depth 23.5 cm

A yam mask, East Sepik, Papua New Guinea, middle 20th century.…

Abelam Yam Harvest Festival Mask

A yam mask, East Sepik, Papua New Guinea, middle 20th century. Used in yam harvest festivals by the Abelam people of the Prince Alexandre mountains. Yam growing is integral to Abelam life; a man's status is interwined with his long yam growing abilities.…

A mask by Luke Bill, Angoram village, Papua New Guinea, 20th…

Papua New Guinea Hardwood Mask with Feather Decoration

A mask by Luke Bill, Angoram village, Papua New Guinea, 20th century. A hardwood oval mask with deeply-carved facial markings. With a cane wrapped edging and cassowary feathers decorating the edges. Coloured with a black pigment. Length 40 cm, width 15 cm…

Papua New Guinea Vokeo Island mask, a 'lewa' ancestral mask…

Vokeo Island Ancestral Mask with Bite Stick, 1900s

Papua New Guinea Vokeo Island mask, a 'lewa' ancestral mask representing the 'tangbal' ancestral spirits. The mask was held by a 'bite stick' in the mouth during ceremonies. Mid 1900's. With a stand. 36 x 21 cm.

A cassowary feather Bilum bag from Papua New Guinea, made of…

Cassowary Feather Bilum Bag from Papua New Guinea

A cassowary feather Bilum bag from Papua New Guinea, made of bark fibre and cassowary feathers by people of New Guinea in 20th century. A similar example is exhibited in Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, Ca. 60 cm length

Papua New Guinea Oro province tapa cloth (2), each with…

Traditional Tapa Cloth with Clan Motifs from Oro Province

Papua New Guinea Oro province tapa cloth (2), each with traditional clan motif decoration

Papua New Guinea Oro Province tapa cloth, with unusual pigment.…

Rare Oro Province Tapa Cloth with Unusual Pigment

Papua New Guinea Oro Province tapa cloth, with unusual pigment. These barkcloth are made from cultivated mulberry tree bark beaten together by the Maisen people of Collingwood bay of Oro Province. Provenance: Nigel Hillind collection, 156 cm x 133 cm

A Papua New Guinea Asmat Warrior's necklace, woven fibre with…

Asmat Warrior's Dogs Teeth Necklace

A Papua New Guinea Asmat Warrior's necklace, woven fibre with dogs teeth

Papua New Guinean bridal veil (Ambusap), woven fibre and cowrie…

Ambusap: Papua New Guinean Bridal Veil

Papua New Guinean bridal veil (Ambusap), woven fibre and cowrie shells. 77 cm length

A Tapa cloth, Oro Province, Papua New Guinea, 105 x 183 cm long

Oro Province Tapa Cloth

A Tapa cloth, Oro Province, Papua New Guinea, 105 x 183 cm long

A bride price mask and shell wealth, Talipoon, Prince Alexander…

Papua New Guinea Bride Price Mask and Shell Wealth

A bride price mask and shell wealth, Talipoon, Prince Alexander mountains, Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea, the shell, the green turbo snail shell, was traditionally very valuable and precious. Only among the Arapesh, a fine woven mask is attached, height…

Trobriand Islands grass skirt Making board with incised design,…

Trobriand Grass Skirt Making Board

Trobriand Islands grass skirt Making board with incised design, Massim Region, Papua New Guinea, a grass skirt Making board with incised design, Massim Region, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea, old glossy patina. Provenance: Collection of a scholar who…

An old Mortlock Islands gable mask, Japanese period, height 36…

Mortlock Islands Gable Mask - Japanese Period

An old Mortlock Islands gable mask, Japanese period, height 36 cm, width 18 cm

A ceremonial mask, Mwai, Iatmul people, middle Sepik River,…

Mwai: Iatmul Ceremonial Mask from Papua New Guinea

A ceremonial mask, Mwai, Iatmul people, middle Sepik River, Papua New Guinea, a significant mask that, in ceremony, is attached to a giant basketry costume, Awan, that covers the dancer's entire body, 70 x 24 x 13 cm