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...

510 items found:

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

You can reduce the number of items displayed by entering a keyword that must be included in the description of the item.

OR

You can restrict the number of items to those sold in recent years. Select which years:

Papua New Guinea old carved wood suspension hook, the male mask…

Papua New Guinea old carved wood suspension hook, the male mask to the top with pale pigmented highlights. Latmul culture, Suapmeri village, middle Sepik River area. Representing manhood and succession of the hunt, height 42 cm.

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 Papuan Gulf Gope board together with an Abelam mask, the…

Papuan Gulf Gope Board and Abelam Mask: Indigenous Artifacts

A Papuan Gulf Gope board together with an Abelam mask, the board 67 cm long, the mask 49 cm long

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

Two tribal masks, carved wood and fibre with remains of earth…

Papua New Guinea Tribal Masks by John Lean Pender

Two tribal masks, carved wood and fibre with remains of earth pigment decoration, Papua New Guinea origin, collected by John Lean Pender, an Australian ex-pat living in New Guinea in the 1930s and 40s who returned to Australia in 1942 upon the Japanese…

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, 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…

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, 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, 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 Ramu River mask and cassowary bone Dagger

Ramu Mask and Cassowary Dagger

A Ramu River mask and cassowary bone Dagger

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 middle Sepik River mask, painted carved wood.…

Sepik River Gable Mask from Dame Gibbs Collection

A Papua New Guinea middle Sepik River mask, painted carved wood. Original label affixed to reverse: 'David Jones, gable mask, Palembai, Provenance: Dame Jenny Gibbs collection, 67 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 mask and figure, a carved wood Ramu River…

Papua New Guinea Wood Carvings and Mask

A Papua New Guinea mask and figure, a carved wood Ramu River flute mask with painted black, red and Kaolin pigments, and a Romkun figure, 39 cm, 40 cm height

A Papua New Guinea Ramu River house board and mask, carved wood…

Ramu River House Board and Mask

A Papua New Guinea Ramu River house board and mask, carved wood figures from the Madang Province. Some losses. Collected in 1972, 80 cm, 75 cm height

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 Ramu River mask from the Madang Province, facial features…

Ramu River Cassowary Feather Mask

A Ramu River mask from the Madang Province, facial features carved in high relief and painted with umber and black pigments, framed with cassowary feathers. Metal hook with fiber binding for suspension, 81 cm height

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

Sepik Ancestral Mask

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

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 pair of masks by Luke bill, Angoram village, Papua New Guinea,…

Luke Bill's Papua New Guinea Mask Pair

A pair of masks by Luke bill, Angoram village, Papua New Guinea, 20th century. Two ovoid faces carved from hardwood. With wrapped cane edging and decorated with cassowary feathers. Coloured black with natural pigments. Largest length 28 cm, width 12 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 Tami Island hardwood bowl, elongated elliptical shape carved…

Tami Island Hardwood Bowl with Frigate Bird Carvings

A Tami Island hardwood bowl, elongated elliptical shape carved with a frigate bird in low relief to each side. The base carved with a stylized fish with mask face highlighted with lime. Two small breaks, one repaired, 41 cm length

Ancestral mask mid 20th century, Sepik River, Papua New Guinea,…

Sepik River Ancestral Mask on Stand

Ancestral mask mid 20th century, Sepik River, Papua New Guinea, hand carved timber on stand, height 72 cm

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…

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 dance mask, coastal Sepik / Ramu River Region,…

Coastal Sepik Dance Mask from Papua New Guinea

A ceremonial dance mask, coastal Sepik / Ramu River Region, Papua New Guinea, used in village dancing. A large, old mask, well carved with subtle paint, 70 x 24 x 13 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

A large mounted ancestral mask, Tambanum village, Sepik River,…

Sepik River Ancestral Mwai Mask

A large mounted ancestral mask, Tambanum village, Sepik River, Papua New Guinea, in the form of a mwai mask used in Naven ceremony. Missing shells as per image, height 169 cm

A large ancestral mask, Kwoma people, upper Sepik River, Papua…

Kwoma Ancestral Mask from Papua New Guinea

A large ancestral mask, Kwoma people, upper Sepik River, Papua New Guinea, height 167 cm, width 28 cm

An ancestral mask, Biwat river, Sepik Region, East Sepik…

Sepik Ancestral Mask

An ancestral mask, Biwat river, Sepik Region, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, a/f, height 45 cm, width 23 cm

A fine Tatanua mask, New Ireland, height 52 cm, length 16 cm,…

Tatanua Mask from New Ireland

A fine Tatanua mask, New Ireland, height 52 cm, length 16 cm, width 37 cm

A large ancestral mask, Biwat river, Sepik Region, Papua New…

Sepik Ancestral Mask

A large ancestral mask, Biwat river, Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea, height 54 cm, width 40 cm

A protective mask, Sepik River Region, Papua New Guinea, round…

Possum-Faced Protective Mask from Papua New Guinea

A protective mask, Sepik River Region, Papua New Guinea, round in form with shell eyes. The nose is engraved with the face of a possum, decorated with red pigment, 32 x 22 cm

A large wooden Helmut mask, Baba, with feather headdress,…

Rare Abelam Helmut Mask with Feather Headdress

A large wooden Helmut mask, Baba, with feather headdress, Abelam people, Maprik Region, Papua New Guinea, these wooden Babas are made in only a few villages and are rare, height 68 cm, diameter 28 cm

A bride price, wealth shell and mask, Talipun, East Sepik…

Talipun: Wealth Shell and Mask from Papua New Guinea

A bride price, wealth shell and mask, Talipun, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, the green turbo shell is the real wealth, and in the Yangoru region woven faces of ancestral beings are attached, 48 x 22 x 21 cm

A ceremonial dance mask, Ramu River, Papua New Guinea, soft…

Ramu River Dance Mask

A ceremonial dance mask, Ramu River, Papua New Guinea, soft orange pigmented colour, with eyes painted blue, 49 x 19 x 14 cm

A pair of fine masks, Ramu River coast, East Sepik Province,…

Colourful Male Masks from Papua New Guinea

A pair of fine masks, Ramu River coast, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, both well carved and painted with amazing colours for ceremony. Both male masks, with long curled noses. 35 x 11 x 1 cm, 31 x 10 x 9 cm

A large old hardwood mask, Ramu River, north coast, Papua New…

Ramu River Hardwood Mask from Papua New Guinea

A large old hardwood mask, Ramu River, north coast, Papua New Guinea, this mask is bold and strong, used over many years. Early to mid 20th century, 66 x 25 x 23 cm

Sepik River carved basket hook figure, of figural form with…

Sepik River Carved Basket Hook Figure

Sepik River carved basket hook figure, of figural form with carved features and lower mask carved into hook, height 60 cm

A Papua New Guinean ceremonial mask, lower Sepik River, 84.5 cm…

Sepik River Ceremonial Mask

A Papua New Guinean ceremonial mask, lower Sepik River, 84.5 cm long

Huon Gulf mask, Tami Islands. Carved and engraved hardwood with…

Huon Gulf Mask from Tami Islands

Huon Gulf mask, Tami Islands. Carved and engraved hardwood with natural pigments, length 50.5 x 24 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, New South Wales

Basketry gable mask, Middle Sepik, Papua New Guinea. Woven…

Middle Sepik Woven Gable Mask

Basketry gable mask, Middle Sepik, Papua New Guinea. Woven plant fibre and natural pigments. Woven mask would have been used on the gable of a Middle Sepik meeting house. The wildly expressive form is accentuated with natural pigments, length 62 x 42 cm.…

Dance mask (Hokore), Karama village, Papuan Gulf, Papua New…

Hokore Dance Mask from Papua New Guinea

Dance mask (Hokore), Karama village, Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea. Woven plant fibre and natural pigments. This mask represents a hornbill or a crocodile; the latter is the totemic emblem of a clan in Karama village, located East of Kerema, length 99 x…

A Sepik carved mask, Papua New Guinea, a ancestor mask carved…

Sepik Ancestor Mask from Papua New Guinea

A Sepik carved mask, Papua New Guinea, a ancestor mask carved from a single piece of wood. Coloured black and decorated with red and white pigment. This mask would have been mounted at the front or the interior of a men's house. This mask is an embodiment…

An ancestor spirit mask, carved wood, shell, fibre and pigment,…

Papua New Guinea Ancestor Spirit Mask

An ancestor spirit mask, carved wood, shell, fibre and pigment, Papua New Guinea, 81 cm high

Black water river ancestor mask Papua New Guinea gable woven…

Black Water Ancestor Mask from Papua New Guinea

Black water river ancestor mask Papua New Guinea gable woven rattan mask this wonderful Basketry gable mask is from the black water lakes, south of the Sepik River in Papua New Guinea. These masks were very large and aided in becoming an overpowering…

Sepik River ancestor mask middle Sepik River, East Sepik…

Sepik River Ancestor Mask

Sepik River ancestor mask middle Sepik River, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea. Often refer to ancestor or clan spirits and totems such as cassowary (muruk), crocodile (pukpuk), eagle (taragau), or a water and bush bird (saun). There are many masks…

Fine Hunstein mask, upper Salumei river Papua New Guinea of…

Polychrome Hunstein Ancestor Mask with Hornbill Beaks

Fine Hunstein mask, upper Salumei river Papua New Guinea of wood in classic ancestor form, the face with projecting eyes and stylised hornbill beaks, decorated polychrome pigments.

Large mask with pig's tusks, Papua New Guinea on a stand. With…

Pig Tusk Mask from Papua New Guinea

Large mask with pig's tusks, Papua New Guinea on a stand. With ochre paint and heavily carved features. 188 cm

Papua New Guinea ancestor mask w/ pig tusks, middle Sepik 53 cm

Sepik Ancestor Mask with Pig Tusks

Papua New Guinea ancestor mask w/ pig tusks, middle Sepik 53 cm

Old ancestor mask with pig tusks, middle Sepik 68 cm

Pig-Tusked Ancestor Mask from Middle Sepik

Old ancestor mask with pig tusks, middle Sepik 68 cm

Early Ethnographic coastal Sepik, Papua New Guinea river…

Coastal Sepik River Ceremonial Mask

Early Ethnographic coastal Sepik, Papua New Guinea river ceremonial mask 52 cm (with stand)

Tortoise shell mask, Karaimu village, Sepik River 15 cm

Sepik River Tortoise Shell Mask

Tortoise shell mask, Karaimu village, Sepik River 15 cm

Sepik River Lower Murik Lakes mask 40 cm

Lower Murik Lakes Mask: 40cm Sepik River Treasure

Sepik River Lower Murik Lakes mask 40 cm

Papua New Guinea, middle Sepik mask with intricate carvings…

Intricate Sepik Bird Mask from Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea, middle Sepik mask with intricate carvings bird on forehead. 54 cm

Woven mask from Mindbabik village on Sepik River with cassowary…

Cassowary Feather Woven Mask from Mindbabik Village

Woven mask from Mindbabik village on Sepik River with cassowary feathers to ward off evil spirits. 33 cm

Middle Sepik mask 50 cm

Sepik Mask: 50cm

Middle Sepik mask 50 cm

PNG / Middle Sepik mask 24 cm

Middle Sepik Mask: 24cm PNG Tribal Art

PNG / Middle Sepik mask 24 cm

Old Turubu wooden mosquito mask, East Sepik Province in grey…

Turubu Wooden Mosquito Mask from East Sepik Province

Old Turubu wooden mosquito mask, East Sepik Province in grey and black tones 142 cm

Papua New Guinea lower Sepik carved wooden mask 55 cm

Sepik Wooden Mask - 55cm

Papua New Guinea lower Sepik carved wooden mask 55 cm

Papua New Guinea lower Sepik mask with inlaid shell eyes 56 cm

Sepik Shell-Eyed Mask (56cm)

Papua New Guinea lower Sepik mask with inlaid shell eyes 56 cm

Papua New Guinea middle Sepik mask with inlaid shell eyes 59 cm

Sepik Shell-Eyed Mask (59cm)

Papua New Guinea middle Sepik mask with inlaid shell eyes 59 cm

Sepik River Abelam wooden mask, Papua New Guinea 58 cm

Abelam Wooden Mask from Papua New Guinea

Sepik River Abelam wooden mask, Papua New Guinea 58 cm

Carved Papua New Guinea mask with cassowary feather trim 49 cm

Papua New Guinea Cassowary Mask

Carved Papua New Guinea mask with cassowary feather trim 49 cm

Papua New Guinea Sepik River small carved mask 27 cm

Sepik River Mask - 27cm

Papua New Guinea Sepik River small carved mask 27 cm

Papua New Guinea Sepik River mask, yellow, orange, and brown…

Sepik River Mask: Yellow, Orange, and Brown

Papua New Guinea Sepik River mask, yellow, orange, and brown tones 36 cm

Papua New Guinea Sepik River mask woven with mosquito nose 53 cm

Sepik River Mosquito Nose Mask - 53cm

Papua New Guinea Sepik River mask woven with mosquito nose 53 cm

Abelam people woven yam mask, Papua New Guinea 32 cm

Abelam Woven Yam Mask from Papua New Guinea

Abelam people woven yam mask, Papua New Guinea 32 cm

Abelam people woven yam mask, Papua New Guinea 33 cm

Abelam Woven Yam Mask from Papua New Guinea

Abelam people woven yam mask, Papua New Guinea 33 cm

Sepik River carved mask with shell eyes 1970s 41 cm

Sepik River Shell-Eyed Carved Mask (1970s)

Sepik River carved mask with shell eyes 1970s 41 cm

Woven basket mask with mosquito nose ancestor mask from the…

Sepik River Woven Mosquito Nose Ancestor Mask

Woven basket mask with mosquito nose ancestor mask from the Blackwater Region of the Sepik River 94 cm

A large Sepik River carved tribal mask, l92 cm

Sepik River Tribal Mask (if no specific tribe is known)

A large Sepik River carved tribal mask, l92 cm

Papua New Guinea Abelam yam mask, bush fibre with natural…

Abelam Yam Mask from Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea Abelam yam mask, bush fibre with natural pigments. Used in yam harvest festivals, collected in the East Sepik Province near Ambunti, 26 cm length

A New Guinea carved and polychrome wood tribal mask, Sepik…

Sepik River Polychrome Tribal Mask with Coconut Fringe

A New Guinea carved and polychrome wood tribal mask, Sepik River, fringed with coconut husk decoration, on metal stand, overall height 48 cm

Ceremonial mask, middle Sepik River, New Guinea, woven and…

Sepik River Mask

Ceremonial mask, middle Sepik River, New Guinea, woven and painted textile, timber, grass and feathers, 103 cm high, 45 cm wide, 37 cm deep

A New Guinea, middle Sepik ancestral mask, natural earth…

Sepik Ancestral Mask: Earth Pigments, Wood, Shell & Feather

A New Guinea, middle Sepik ancestral mask, natural earth pigments, wood, shell, feather and textile, 59 cm high, 50 cm wide, 29 cm deep

Gable mask, woven cane, wood, feather and fibre with remains of…

Gable Mask from Kuvenmas Village, Papua New Guinea

Gable mask, woven cane, wood, feather and fibre with remains of earth pigment decoration, Kuvenmas village, Blackwater lakes, Papua New Guinea, 120 cm high

An ancestral spirit mask, carved wood, tusk, shell and fibre…

Papua New Guinea Ancestral Spirit Mask

An ancestral spirit mask, carved wood, tusk, shell and fibre with earth pigment decoration, Papua New Guinea, 55 cm high

An ancestral spirit mask, carved wood, feather, fibre, tusk,…

Papua New Guinea Ancestral Spirit Mask

An ancestral spirit mask, carved wood, feather, fibre, tusk, shell, clay and earth pigments, Papua New Guinea, 95 cm high

A tribal dance mask, carved wood, woven cane, fibre and shell…

Papua New Guinea Tribal Dance Mask

A tribal dance mask, carved wood, woven cane, fibre and shell with earth pigment and clay decoration, Papua New Guinea, 32 cm high, 42 cm long

Long nose Tambuan mask, woven cane and feather with ochre…

Tambuan Mask with Long Nose and Feathers

Long nose Tambuan mask, woven cane and feather with ochre decoration, Blackwater river, Papua New Guinea, 42 cm high, 82 cm long

An impressive tribal mask, tortoiseshell, feather, tusk, shell,…

Coastal Papua New Guinea Tribal Mask

An impressive tribal mask, tortoiseshell, feather, tusk, shell, fibre and clay with earth pigments, coastal Papua New Guinea, 120 cm high

A ceremonial dance mask, bone and woven cane, Papua New Guinea,…

Papua New Guinea Bone Mask

A ceremonial dance mask, bone and woven cane, Papua New Guinea, 49 cm high

Long nose Tumbuan mask, woven cane, feather and fibre with…

Tumbuan Mask with Feathers and Fibers

Long nose Tumbuan mask, woven cane, feather and fibre with remains of earth pigment decoration, Blackwater river, Papua New Guinea, 58 cm high, 105 cm long

A spirit mask, carved wood, shell and fibre beard with clay and…

Papua New Guinea Spirit Mask

A spirit mask, carved wood, shell and fibre beard with clay and earth pigments, Papua New Guinea, 82 cm high