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...

21 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

A middle Sepik River ancestral figure mask, Papua New Guinea,…

Sepik Ancestral Figure Mask with Elaborate Carvings

A middle Sepik River ancestral figure mask, Papua New Guinea, squatting figure raised on a curvilinear triangle, elbows resting on the thighs, elongated nose reaches the base, imposing headdress, body shaped as another ancestral figure, rattan structure…

A New Guinea, middle Sepik wild pig, woven sculpture with…

Sepik Wild Pig Woven Sculpture

A New Guinea, middle Sepik wild pig, woven sculpture with textiles, feathers, straw, shells and paint, 29 cm high, 65 cm wide, 34 cm deep

An impressive Sepik Triple-Visage sculpture. Long wooden…

Sepik Triple-Visage Sculpture with Polka Dots

An impressive Sepik Triple-Visage sculpture. Long wooden sculpture carved into three ancestral visages on top of each other, with a high and domed forehead overlooking a flat face structured by a large nose pierced through the septum, bulging concentric…

An Iatmul ancestral spirit figure, Sepik, Papua New Guinea.…

Iatmul Ancestral Spirit Figure from Papua New Guinea

An Iatmul ancestral spirit figure, Sepik, Papua New Guinea. Female figure in slight squatting position, hands on the hips, with bulging abdomen, large face with cowrie inlaid eyes and crowned with feathers. Plaited fibres adorn the ears, nose, wrists,…

A middle Sepik River ancestral Figure-Mask, Papua New Guinea.…

Sepik Ancestral Figure-Mask from Papua New Guinea

A middle Sepik River ancestral Figure-Mask, Papua New Guinea. Squatting figure raised on a curvilinear triangle, elbows resting on the thighs, elongated nose reaches the base, imposing headdress, body shaped as another ancestral figure, rattan structure…

Fine pair of Massim pig figures, Trobriand Islands, Papua New…

Massim Pig Figures from Trobriand Islands, PNG

Fine pair of Massim pig figures, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea. Pig sculptures have been made on Kiriwina Island to sell Western visitors as early as 1880. The use of pre-contact pig figures is uncertain; its function as an item of value used for…

Abelam carved and painted sculpture, East Sepik Province, Papua…

Abelam Sculpture and Ramu River Mask

Abelam carved and painted sculpture, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, wood, with all over dot pattern around central face in natural earth pigments, together with a Ramu river mask (2), 176 cm. Provenance: The Estate of Ray Hughes

Tapa mask Nakanai people, New Britain. Provenance: Ex William…

Nakanai Tapa Mask from William Rubin Collection

Tapa mask Nakanai people, New Britain. Provenance: Ex William Rubin collection (1927-2006). From 1968 to 1988, Rubin was a curator and director of the painting and sculpture department at the Museum of modern Art, located in New York city, New York . He…

A Yina figure, Kwoma people, Waskuk area, upper Sepik, this…

Expressive Yina Figure from Kwoma People, Upper Sepik

A Yina figure, Kwoma people, Waskuk area, upper Sepik, this very expressive Yina has all the attributes of good Kwoma sculpture, looking at the side view the nose is suspended from the forehead, much of the original ochre painted designs intact. Yina is…

An Asmat Jipae dance costume, Pupis village, Wasar River, NW…

Asmat Jipae Dance Costume for Deceased Spirits Passing Over

An Asmat Jipae dance costume, Pupis village, Wasar River, NW Asmat area; Jipae costumes represent the recently deceased in the village, they represent both men and/or women and all have a personal name. The ceremony helps the spirits of the deceased pass…

An Asmat Jipae dance costume, Pupis village, Wasar River, NW…

Asmat Jipae Dance Costume for Deceased Spirits

An Asmat Jipae dance costume, Pupis village, Wasar River, NW Asmat area; Jipae costumes represent the recently deceased in the village, they represent both men and/or women and all have a personal name. The ceremony helps the spirits of the deceased pass…

An Asmat Jipae dance costume, Pupis village, Wasar River, NW…

Asmat Jipae Dance Costume for Deceased Spirits

An Asmat Jipae dance costume, Pupis village, Wasar River, NW Asmat area; Jipae costumes represent the recently deceased in the village, they represent both men and/or women and all have a personal name. The ceremony helps the spirits of the deceased pass…

Two Massim pig sculptures 34 cm, 22 cm

Massim Pig Sculptures: 34cm & 22cm

Two Massim pig sculptures 34 cm, 22 cm

An ancestor sculpture, Nogwi, Papua New Guinea in female form…

Nogwi: Female Ancestor Sculpture

An ancestor sculpture, Nogwi, Papua New Guinea in female form 113 cm

An Abelam ancestor sculpture of wood polychrome pigments 95 cm

Abelam Ancestor Sculpture: Polychrome Pigments (95 cm)

An Abelam ancestor sculpture of wood polychrome pigments 95 cm

A Sepik sculpture of wood in the form of a stylised canoe prow…

Sepik Canoe Prow Sculpture

A Sepik sculpture of wood in the form of a stylised canoe prow 47 cm

A Sepik ancestor sculpture of wood with shell eyes 42 cm

Sepik Ancestor Sculpture with Shell Eyes

A Sepik ancestor sculpture of wood with shell eyes 42 cm

A Sepik ancestor sculpture in the form of an ancestor face,…

Sepik Ancestor Face Sculpture with Polychrome Pigments and Fibre Tassels

A Sepik ancestor sculpture in the form of an ancestor face, polychrome pigments, fibre tassels 82 cm

A Sepik ancestor sculpture of wood, with open work base,…

Sepik Ancestor Sculpture with Polychrome Pigments

A Sepik ancestor sculpture of wood, with open work base, polychrome pigments 84 cm

A Sepik ancestor sculpture of wood, classic male form,…

Sepik Male Ancestor Sculpture

A Sepik ancestor sculpture of wood, classic male form, polychrome pigment 54 cm

An Abelam ancestor sculpture of wood with polychrome pigments…

Abelam Ancestor Sculpture with Polychrome Pigments

An Abelam ancestor sculpture of wood with polychrome pigments 58 cm