The Solomon Islands, located in the South Pacific, is home to a rich and diverse collection of tribal artifacts. These artifacts reflect the cultural and artistic traditions of the various indigenous peoples who have inhabited the islands for centuries. A few examples of tribal artifacts from the Solomon Islands follows:

•    Malaita Figures: These are carved wooden figures that come from the Malaita Province of the Solomon Islands. They are known for their elongated, slender forms and stylized facial features. They were often used in ceremonial contexts and were believed to embody spiritual power.

•    Shell Money: Shell money is a traditional form of currency used by many indigenous peoples in the Solomon Islands. It consists of small, circular shells that have been strung together to form a necklace or bracelet. Different types of shells were used to create different denominations of currency.

•    Canoe Prow Figureheads: more...

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Solomon Islands mortar/bowl with shell inlay, height 30 cm

Shell-Inlaid Mortar from Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands mortar/bowl with shell inlay, height 30 cm

A Solomon Island oar, 145 cm length

Solomon Island Oar: 145cm Length

A Solomon Island oar, 145 cm length

Solomon Islands Barbed spears. Two early short, undecorated…

Barbed Spears with Woven Hafts

Solomon Islands Barbed spears. Two early short, undecorated spears. Small glued repair to one; two ceremonial carved barbed spears with decorative woven cane hafts. Length 132 cm (longest)

Solomon Islands shell money. three various necklets, two…

Shell Money Necklets from Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands shell money. three various necklets, two crescent form and other spiral shell terminal.

Solomon Islands mask. Elongated head inset with mother of pearl.…

Mother of Pearl Solomon Islands Mask

Solomon Islands mask. Elongated head inset with mother of pearl. Length 49 cm

A shell adorned double bowl, the Solomon Islands, length 60 cm

Solomon Islands Shell Double Bowl - 60cm

A shell adorned double bowl, the Solomon Islands, length 60 cm

Clamshell necklace, red trade beads, Solomon Islands. 12 cm

Red Trade Bead Clamshell Necklace from Solomon Islands

Clamshell necklace, red trade beads, Solomon Islands. 12 cm

Solomon Island shell Currency hand carved and pierced shell…

Solomon Island Shell Currency

Solomon Island shell Currency hand carved and pierced shell with attached fibre. Malaita, Solomon Islands. Length 20 cm. Width 4.5 cm

Pair of Adornments clam shell discs with large pierced hole for…

Solomon Islands Clam Shell Disc Adornments

Pair of Adornments clam shell discs with large pierced hole for attached fibre. Malaita, Solomon Islands. Height 15 cm. Width 15 cm. Height 13 cm. Width 13 cm

A Solomon Islands walking stick with shell inlay pattern.…

Shell Inlaid Solomon Islands Walking Stick

A Solomon Islands walking stick with shell inlay pattern. Length 94.5 cm

A 20th century Solomon Islands bowl, made from a hardwood with…

Solomon Islands Shell Inlaid Hardwood Bowl

A 20th century Solomon Islands bowl, made from a hardwood with shell inlay, height 17 cm, width 54.5 cm

Two various Solomon Islands clubs. Fluted head with diamond…

Solomon Islands Club Pair

Two various Solomon Islands clubs. Fluted head with diamond woven decorative handles; and axe form head with woven handle. Length 59 cm (longest)

A Solomon Islands paddle club of adzed palmwood, length 102 cm.

Solomon Islands Adzed Palmwood Paddle Club (9 words)

A Solomon Islands paddle club of adzed palmwood, length 102 cm.

Old Malaita short club, from the Solomon islands, quadrangular…

Old Malaita short club, from the Solomon islands, quadrangular head with circular guard detail, length 40 cm.

Five various Solomon Islands ceremonial spears. Carved barbed…

Solomon Islands Decorative Spears

Five various Solomon Islands ceremonial spears. Carved barbed heads with decoratively cane bound hafts. Length 91 cm (longest)

A Solomon Islands inlaid walking stick the dark hardwood with…

Solomon Islands Walking Stick with Shell Inlay

A Solomon Islands inlaid walking stick the dark hardwood with shell inlay pattern to the handle. Length 95 cm

A Solomon Islands carved walking stick with etched diamond…

Solomon Islands Walking Stick with Etched Diamond and Snake

A Solomon Islands carved walking stick with etched diamond formation and entwined snake up the shaft. Length 94 cm

A vintage quality old Solomon Island long spear with spiked…

A vintage quality old Solomon Island long spear with spiked fine head, length 233 cm.

A Solomon Islands paddle club, oval blade with medial rib,…

Solomon Islands paddle with oval blade and tapering finial

A Solomon Islands paddle club, oval blade with medial rib, shaft with tapering finial. Length 121 cm

Solomon Islands wooden fertility figure, 37 cm high approx.

Wooden Fertility Figure from Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands wooden fertility figure, 37 cm high approx.

A Solomon Islands paddle club, oval blade with medial rib,…

Solomon Islands Paddle with Medial Rib

A Solomon Islands paddle club, oval blade with medial rib, shaft with tapering finial, length 106 cm

A fine turtle bone bread fruit Splitter, Solomon Islands, with…

Turtle Bone Breadfruit Splitter with Sennit Binding, Solomon Islands

A fine turtle bone bread fruit Splitter, Solomon Islands, with fine sennit binding, length cm 49 cm

19th century Solomon Island woven flax purse, approx 18 cm x 24…

Solomon Island Woven Flax Purse

19th century Solomon Island woven flax purse, approx 18 cm x 24 cm

A Solomon Islands food bowl and another, the oval bowl with…

Solomon Islands Food Bowls with Carved Decorations

A Solomon Islands food bowl and another, the oval bowl with lime decorated carved rim, the other with asymmetrical scalloped ends and inverted side rims. L430 and 54 cm. Provenance: The estate collection of Michael Higgs, [Tribal Artefacts, Polynesian…

Santa Cruz paddle large, flattened blade with raised figural…

Figural Carved Santa Cruz Paddle

Santa Cruz paddle large, flattened blade with raised figural carving to front. Cylindrical shaft leading to a pointed tip. Mid-brown patina. Length 1600, width 14 cm

Group of Solomon Island Lures (3) for trolling; turtle-shell…

Solomon Island Trolling Lures with Natural Materials

Group of Solomon Island Lures (3) for trolling; turtle-shell points, shell shanks, natural-fibre binding. Length 9.4 cm. Width 3.4 cm; length 10 cm. Width 3 cm; length 10.5 cm. Width 2.7 cm

Solomon Islands club. Flattened bulbous head. Age patina.…

Flattened Head Club from Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands club. Flattened bulbous head. Age patina. Length 104 cm

Solomon Islands bow with nine fish arrows, palmwood, bark…

Solomon Islands Fish Bow with Nine Arrows

Solomon Islands bow with nine fish arrows, palmwood, bark string, palm leaf arrows. Provenance: Owen Mapp collection, 153 cm length

Solomon Islands paddle shaped club, together with two other…

Solomon Island Clubs Collection

Solomon Islands paddle shaped club, together with two other Solomon Island clubs

A Solomon Islands club, of classic form with raised medial rib…

Solomon Islands Club with Flared Head - 119 cm

A Solomon Islands club, of classic form with raised medial rib to the flattened flared head. Length 119 cm

A Solomon Islands ceremonial offering bowl, the blackened…

Solomon Islands Offering Bowl with Figure and Mask Carvings

A Solomon Islands ceremonial offering bowl, the blackened oblong bowl carved with a figure in relief with outstretched arms to each side. The underside carved with a mask in low relief. Traces of white pigment across the surface of the bowl. 45 cm length

A Solomon Island burnished wooden oval bowl, with conforming…

Solomon Islands Burnished Wooden Oval Bowl

A Solomon Island burnished wooden oval bowl, with conforming low foot. 34 cm x 25.5 cm

An old Solomon Islands fishing lure, the mother-of-pearl body…

Solomon Islands Mother-of-Pearl Fishing Lure

An old Solomon Islands fishing lure, the mother-of-pearl body with lashed horn barb, bead highlights extend from the lashing. Length 7.5 cm

Solomon Islands lure for trolling; turtle-shell points, shell…

Turtle-Shell Trolling Lures from Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands lure for trolling; turtle-shell points, shell shanks, natural-fibre binding and coloured beads. Length 6.5 cm. Width 1.4 cm

Group of Currency two clam shell rings used for bride price or…

Solomon Islands Bride Price Shell Rings

Group of Currency two clam shell rings used for bride price or shell money. Solomon Islands diameter 12.8 cm; diameter 11 cm

Calabash with woven Sennit casing from Rennell Islands, Solomon…

Rennell Island Calabash with Sennit Casing

Calabash with woven Sennit casing from Rennell Islands, Solomon Islands. 23 cm height

A Solomon Islands wood carved shark, with mother-of-pearl teeth…

Mother-of-Pearl Shark: Solomon Islands Wood Carving

A Solomon Islands wood carved shark, with mother-of-pearl teeth and eyes, the figure with tail curling around almost to jaws

Two similar Solomon Islands ceremonial bowls. Wooden, with dual…

Fish-handled Solomon Islands ceremonial bowls with inlay

Two similar Solomon Islands ceremonial bowls. Wooden, with dual fish form handles, both with mother of pearl inlay. Length 27 cm; 42 cm. Height 16 cm (each)

A war club, carved hardwood, Solomon Islands, 19th/20th century,…

Solomon Islands Hardwood War Club

A war club, carved hardwood, Solomon Islands, 19th/20th century, a??106 cm long

A paddle shaped war club, carved hardwood, Solomon Islands,…

Solomon Islands Carved Hardwood War Club - 116cm Long

A paddle shaped war club, carved hardwood, Solomon Islands, 19th/20th century, 116 cm long

A Solomon Islands hardwood and mother-of-pearl Nguzunguzu, the…

Solomon Islands Nguzunguzu: Mother-of-Pearl Canoe Prow Carving

A Solomon Islands hardwood and mother-of-pearl Nguzunguzu, the classical stylised head supporting a smaller head below, cut and inlaid mother-of-pearl to the eyes, brows, teeth, etc., good dark toned wood with paler inclusions. These traditional carvings…

A resin cast Solomon Islands figure, this is a resin copy of…

Resin Cast Solomon Islands Figure Replica

A resin cast Solomon Islands figure, this is a resin copy of the famous Solomon Islands figure on display at the Auckland Museum. The Museum used to sell resin replicas of original pieces in their collections. It is made in the 1970's and are now…

A Solomon Islands inlaid walking stick the hardwood with shell…

Shell Inlaid Solomon Islands Walking Stick

A Solomon Islands inlaid walking stick the hardwood with shell inlay pattern to the handle. Length 101 cm

Solomon Islands club. Large, fluted head with mother of pearl…

Fluted Head Club with Mother of Pearl Inlay

Solomon Islands club. Large, fluted head with mother of pearl inlay handle & woven terminal band. Some losses. Length 50 cm

Solomon Islands frigate bird pipe, carved wooden bowl on a…

Solomon Islands Frigate Bird Pipe

Solomon Islands frigate bird pipe, carved wooden bowl on a bamboo stem. 57 cm length

A Solomon Islands canoe paddle, with leaf shaped blade, plain…

Solomon Islands Leaf Blade Canoe Paddle

A Solomon Islands canoe paddle, with leaf shaped blade, plain shaft terminating in carved finial with cross-bar handle (small loss to cross-bar). Length 116 cm

A Solomon Island wood feeding bowl of long oval form with two…

Solomon Island Bird-Handled Wood Feeding Bowl

A Solomon Island wood feeding bowl of long oval form with two bird handles on either end, dark stain and some wear. Height 14.5 cm. Width 61 cm. Depth 24.5 cm

Solomon Islands club. Dark softwood axe form club. Length 80 cm

Solomon Axe Club: 80cm Dark Softwood

Solomon Islands club. Dark softwood axe form club. Length 80 cm

Santa Cruz Island dance club, Napa, classical canoe shape with…

Santa Cruz Island dance club, Napa, classical canoe shape with painted floral and geometric decoration. Split to handle and center section. Length 93 cm.

A food bowl, the Solomon Islands, 43 x 28 cm

Solomon Islands Food Bowl

A food bowl, the Solomon Islands, 43 x 28 cm

A Solomon Islands large circular wooden bowl, with water washed…

Solomon Islands Wooden Bowl - 51cm Diameter

A Solomon Islands large circular wooden bowl, with water washed finish, diameter 51 cm

A Solomon Islands tree fern carving, mid 20th century

Solomon Islands Tree Fern Carving, 20th Century

A Solomon Islands tree fern carving, mid 20th century

Solomon Islands canoe paddle, in carved hardwood, with leaf…

Solomon Islands canoe paddle, in carved hardwood, with leaf shaped blade, evidence of pigment decoration, length 116 cm

A Solomon Islands club, Malaita, with diamond shape head and…

Malaita Diamond Club with Cross-Ribbed Design

A Solomon Islands club, Malaita, with diamond shape head and raised-rib in the form of a cross, blackened patina. Length 76 cm

A Solomon Islands club, of classic form with raised medial rib…

Solomon Islands Club with Flared Head

A Solomon Islands club, of classic form with raised medial rib to the flattened flared head. Length 119 cm

A Solomon Islands hardwood walking stick, the shaft carved with…

Solomon Islands Carved Walking Stick with Pearl Inlay

A Solomon Islands hardwood walking stick, the shaft carved with figures, snakes and animals, the upper section inlaid with pearl shell. Height 90 cm

A fine Malaita (Solomon Islands) man's woven comb (FAA), the…

Malaita Man's Woven Comb for Ceremonial Use

A fine Malaita (Solomon Islands) man's woven comb (FAA), the intricate weaving from yellow orchid fibres and coconut palm frond fibres, the blackened teeth from fern root. The Kwaio people of Malaita developed this form of comb for ceremonial purposes.…

A similar old Solomon Islands carved wooden bowl to above with…

Solomon Islands Carved Wooden Bowl with Relief Carving

A similar old Solomon Islands carved wooden bowl to above with restrained relief carving to the top rim, oval foot. 56 x 14.5 x 12.5 cm

A Solomon Islands carved coral head, of grotesque pronounced…

Grotesque Coral Head on Metal Stand

A Solomon Islands carved coral head, of grotesque pronounced features, on metal stand. Height of head 24 cm

A cassowary feather fly whisk, a kupesi tapa tablet of fibrous…

Tribal Artifacts Collection from Michael Higgs Estate

A cassowary feather fly whisk, a kupesi tapa tablet of fibrous bark and stitched palm ribs, and a Solomon Islands spatula with figural handle, length 39 cm. Provenance: The estate collection of Michael Higgs, (Tribal Artefacts, Polynesian Arts & Crafts,…

Tafuliae Currency necklace, Solomon Islands, a necklace made up…

Shell Disc Necklace with Blue Glass Beads

Tafuliae Currency necklace, Solomon Islands, a necklace made up from hundreds of shell discs that ave been hand carved and pierced. On a finely woven fibre cord. The necklace also features blue glass beads. Length 39 cm. Preveiously of the Leslie Adkin…

A fighting club, 'Alofolo, Malaita, Solomon Islands, height 89…

Alofolo Fighting Club: Solomon Islands' Tiny Warriors

A fighting club, 'Alofolo, Malaita, Solomon Islands, height 89 cm

A Solomon Islands walking stick, with sword-like grip and forte…

Solomon Islands Walking Stick with Pearl Inlay

A Solomon Islands walking stick, with sword-like grip and forte inlaid with pearl shell designs above a tapering shaft, length 92 cm

A Solomon Islands walking stick, with multiple crocodile heads…

Crocodile-headed Solomon Islands Walking Stick

A Solomon Islands walking stick, with multiple crocodile heads carved to the shaft. Length 92 cm

A Solomon Islands kapkap, a tridacna clam shell disc centrally…

Solomon Islands Kapkap Shell Disc

A Solomon Islands kapkap, a tridacna clam shell disc centrally drilled and bound with fine plated fibre, width 13 cm

A Solomon Islands long club, the lanceolate shaped head with a…

Solomon Islands Long Club with Ribbed Head

A Solomon Islands long club, the lanceolate shaped head with a medial rib to either side, the shaft tapering to a swollen conical butt knob, mid brown wood. Length 115 cm

A double bowl with mother of pearl inlay, Solomon Islands, with…

Mother of Pearl Inlaid Double Bowl from Solomon Islands

A double bowl with mother of pearl inlay, Solomon Islands, with sunken relief to the rim of the bowl and plaited dried pandanus wrappings. Height 6 8 mm, width 37 8 mm, depth 26.5 cm

A walking stick, Solomon Islands. A smooth black patina. A long…

Solomon Islands Walking Stick with Shell Inlay

A walking stick, Solomon Islands. A smooth black patina. A long cylindrical shaft with a widening upper section with white shell inlay. Length 79.5 cm

A Soloman Islands club, either Rennell or Bellona Island. Lobed…

Soloman Islands Lobed Club

A Soloman Islands club, either Rennell or Bellona Island. Lobed to the upper and woven handgrip to the lower. Rich, dark patina. Length 60 cm, depth 12 cm

A ten strand shell money necklace, Afi I Oiya, with black…

Solomon Islands Shell Money Necklace

A ten strand shell money necklace, Afi I Oiya, with black spacers, the Solomon Islands. Provenance: Ex Judith wood collection, length 92 cm

Solomon Island fishing float carved with fish and frigate bird…

Fishing Float with Fish and Frigate Bird Motifs

Solomon Island fishing float carved with fish and frigate bird motifs, intricate carving with blackened patina, height 58 cm

Pink shell necklace, finely cut shell discs with pierced holes…

Solomon Islands Pink Shell Necklace

Pink shell necklace, finely cut shell discs with pierced holes to centre and attached woven fibre. Solomon Islands. Length 64 cm. Width 2 cm

Clam shell Currency (4), large and very early clam shell…

Early Clam Shell Currency from Solomon Islands

Clam shell Currency (4), large and very early clam shell currency, weathered early patina. Choiseul, Solomon Islands. Diameter 8.5 cm. Diameter 8.5 cm. Diameter 8.5 cm. Diameter 7.8 cm

A large Solomon Islands canoe model, the interior carved with a…

Solomon Islands Canoe with Bonito Shark and Nautilus Inlay

A large Solomon Islands canoe model, the interior carved with a bonito shark modelled in high relief. Inlaid extensively with nautilus shell, 94 cm length

Large stone ceremonial axe or pounder, Solomon Islands. Length…

Solomon Islands Stone Axe/Pounder

Large stone ceremonial axe or pounder, Solomon Islands. Length 28 cm. Collection Dr John Raven, Perth.

Two Solomon Islands paddles, light brown wood with ring…

Solomon Island Paddles with Ring Finials - Faulted

Two Solomon Islands paddles, light brown wood with ring terminal finials, one faulted, length 129 cm

A Roromaraugi parrying club, Solomon Islands. The roromaraugi…

Sickle-Shaped Roromaraugi Parrying Club for Combat

A Roromaraugi parrying club, Solomon Islands. The roromaraugi is used to warding off attacks in combat. The club features a sickle-shaped head with raised ridges to the sides. The long shaft terminates in point tip with a figure carved above the tip.…

Solomon Islands club. Dark hardwood axe form club. Length 80 cm

Hardwood Axe Club from Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands club. Dark hardwood axe form club. Length 80 cm

Solomon Islands stone head hammer. Stone encased in bamboo and…

Solomon Islands Stone Head Hammer: Bamboo and Cane Encased

Solomon Islands stone head hammer. Stone encased in bamboo and cane, length 35 cm

A pair of 19 century whale's teeth, the Solomon Islands.…

19th Century Solomon Islands Whale Teeth

A pair of 19 century whale's teeth, the Solomon Islands. Provenance: collected by a missionary in the 1960s, length 10-15 cm

A breast piece pendant with ground shell disc necklace together…

Solomon Islands Shell Pendant and Frigate Bird Necklace

A breast piece pendant with ground shell disc necklace together with a Bavara, on natural fibre, stylised frigate bird disc, Solomon Islands, length 21 cm [Bavara]

An old Solomon Islands carved bird sculpture, stylised form,…

Solomon Islands Carved Bird Sculpture

An old Solomon Islands carved bird sculpture, stylised form, the tail of wedge form, remains of geometric painted detail, chip to beak. Length 29.5 cm

Chief's ceremonial baton, Malaita, Soloman Islands. 35 cm

Malaita Chief's Ceremonial Baton

Chief's ceremonial baton, Malaita, Soloman Islands. 35 cm

Chief's ceremonial baton, Malaita, Soloman Islands. 35 cm

Malaita Chief's Ceremonial Baton

Chief's ceremonial baton, Malaita, Soloman Islands. 35 cm

A quality vintage old Solomon Island long spear with notched…

A quality vintage old Solomon Island long spear with notched fine head, some minor losses. Fine plaited details, length 270 cm.

A large Solomon Islands paddle club, oval blade with medial rib,…

Solomon Islands paddle club with oval blade and medial rib

A large Solomon Islands paddle club, oval blade with medial rib, shaft with tapering finial, length 124 cm

Solomon Islands hardwood club (Kila). Malaita province,…

Solomon Islands hardwood club (Kila). Malaita province, 19th/early 20th century, length 117 cm

An old Solomon Islands paddle club of traditional plain ribbed…

Traditional Solomon Islands Paddle Club - 116cm Length

An old Solomon Islands paddle club of traditional plain ribbed design. Small faults, length 116 cm.

An old Solomon Islands paddle club, of traditional plain ribbed…

Traditional Solomon Islands Paddle Club - 125 cm

An old Solomon Islands paddle club, of traditional plain ribbed design, length 125 cm.

A pair of Nguzu Nguzu canoe prow ornaments, carved stone,…

Solomon Islands Nguzu Nguzu Canoe Prow Ornaments

A pair of Nguzu Nguzu canoe prow ornaments, carved stone, Solomon Islands, 20th century, 13 cm and 15 cm high

Bougainville Solomon Islands carved spirit figure. Female with…

Bougainville Female Spirit Figure with Fish

Bougainville Solomon Islands carved spirit figure. Female with fish. Incised decoration and inset mother of pearl eyes. Wood, height 50 cm

A fine Pacific comb, with finely woven fibre binding, Malaita…

Pacific Comb with Woven Fibre Binding from Malaita Island

A fine Pacific comb, with finely woven fibre binding, Malaita Island, Solomon Islands, 17 x 5 cm

Six Solomon Island currency bracelets, three similar to above…

Solomon Island Currency Bracelets, 6 Pieces

Six Solomon Island currency bracelets, three similar to above and three of finer form carved from mother-of-pearl shell. Provenance: as above.

Four old Solomon Islands currency shell bangles, circular form,…

Solomon Islands Currency Shell Bangles from 1950s

Four old Solomon Islands currency shell bangles, circular form, of polished clam shell. Approx. Diameter 10 cm. Note: These shell items were used as a medium of currency exchange/money. Provenance: Collected by Jessie Grant c.1950s when she was stationed…

A Seashell necklace, Solomon Islands, used for personal…

Spiral Seashell Necklace from Solomon Islands

A Seashell necklace, Solomon Islands, used for personal adornment. Made up of rings of spiral shaped seashells that are densely layered on a thin fibre cord. Length 24 cm. Preveiously of the Leslie Adkin collection