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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Papua New Guinea blackened pottery feast bowl, decorated with…

Sea Horse Feast Bowl from Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea blackened pottery feast bowl, decorated with sea horse heads in high relief, 24 cm diameter

Four elliptical Ramu River food bowls, collection of John…

Four elliptical Ramu River food bowls, collection of John Perkins

Five elliptical Ramu River food bowls, collection of John…

Five elliptical Ramu River food bowls, collection of John Perkins

PNG Sepik River mid century crocodile bowl, with hand painted…

Mid-Century Crocodile Bowl from Sepik River, PNG

PNG Sepik River mid century crocodile bowl, with hand painted highlights, 124 cm wide

A Papua New Guinean food bowl with carved handles, 50 cm length

Papua New Guinean Carved Food Bowl, 50cm Length

A Papua New Guinean food bowl with carved handles, 50 cm length

Papua New Guinea Sawos people 'Kamana' bowl. Conical pottery…

Sawos Kamana Conical Pottery Bowl with Incised Exterior Decoration

Papua New Guinea Sawos people 'Kamana' bowl. Conical pottery bowl with incised exterior decoration, diameter 27.5 cm

A finely crafted food bowl, incorporating an elegant bird neck…

Trobriand Islands Bird Bowl

A finely crafted food bowl, incorporating an elegant bird neck and head design, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea, height 15 cm, L 44 cm

A Trobriand Islands feast bowl, Papua New Guinea, leaf-shaped,…

Trobriand Islands Leaf Bowl

A Trobriand Islands feast bowl, Papua New Guinea, leaf-shaped, decorated meticulously with incised geometric motifs on the rim. Provenance: from the collection of Keith St Cartmail height 11.5 cm, length 64 cm, width 37 cm

A large vintage Png/Trobriand Islands wooden food bowl,…

A large vintage Png/Trobriand Islands wooden food bowl, diameter 40.5 cm.

A large wooden Trobriand Island feast bowl, with incised…

Trobriand Island Feast Bowl with Metal Work

A large wooden Trobriand Island feast bowl, with incised pattern and metal work, 37 cm diameter

A box of basketry and bowls (7) (inlaid pearl). Provenance:…

Inlaid Pearl Basketry and Bowls from David Baker Collection

A box of basketry and bowls (7) (inlaid pearl). Provenance: David Baker Collection.

Crocodile bowl from the Buin Province Papua New Guinea, 59 cm…

Buin Province Crocodile Bowl

Crocodile bowl from the Buin Province Papua New Guinea, 59 cm length

Volcanic stone turtle form bowl. Possibly Melanesian/Trobriand.…

Melanesian Turtle Bowl

Volcanic stone turtle form bowl. Possibly Melanesian/Trobriand. Length 27 cm

Massim Western Pacific carved bowl. Older piece of very dense…

Carved Western Pacific Bowl - 44cm Length

Massim Western Pacific carved bowl. Older piece of very dense wood with crudely incised rim. Length 44 cm

C.1960's Trobriand Island carved food bowl. Length 60 cm

Trobriand Island Carved Food Bowl

C.1960's Trobriand Island carved food bowl. Length 60 cm

Ethnographic group including axe head,Papua New Guinea bowl and…

Indigenous Artifacts: Axe, Bowl, Pyrography Stick

Ethnographic group including axe head,Papua New Guinea bowl and Aboriginal pyrography stick

A raku fired elliptical food bowl from Papua New Guinea, with…

Elliptical Raku Bowl with Avian Handles from Papua New Guinea

A raku fired elliptical food bowl from Papua New Guinea, with incised decoration and avian handles. Some losses, 26 cm at widest point

A Papua New Guinea wooden club/baton, a hardwood bowl and a…

Pacific Island Wooden Artifacts Set

A Papua New Guinea wooden club/baton, a hardwood bowl and a Solomon Island ladle. Longest length 56 cm. Provenance: The estate collection of Michael Higgs, (Tribal Artefacts, Polynesian Arts & Crafts, Private & Museum Supplies Specialist)

Papua New Guinea Sepik River feast bowl with cruciform…

Sepik River Feast Bowl with Cruciform Decoration

Papua New Guinea Sepik River feast bowl with cruciform decoration, Provenance: Nigel Hillind Colllection

A large Ramu River feast bowl, decorated with carved stylised…

Ramu River Feast Bowl with Frigate Bird Carvings

A large Ramu River feast bowl, decorated with carved stylised frigate birds, 70 cm length

Clay bowl, early and fine bowl with decoration overall. Kombio…

Decorated Clay Bowl from Kombio-Boiken Area

Clay bowl, early and fine bowl with decoration overall. Kombio - Boiken area, East Sepik. Height 13 cm. Width 17 cm

Ramu bowl, hollowed bowl, carved figures to ends. Blackened…

Carved Ramu Bowl with Figures

Ramu bowl, hollowed bowl, carved figures to ends. Blackened brown patina. Length 65 cm. Width 23 cm

Tribal artifacts, Papua New Guinea, 20th century, Kava bowls,…

Papua New Guinea Tribal Artifacts Collection

Tribal artifacts, Papua New Guinea, 20th century, Kava bowls, miniature outrigger, grass skirt, lime gourds, cocnut cups, bamboo pipe, bowl and grass bra top. Provenance: The Rev. Waterhouse Family Collection

A collection of curios from New Guinea, including a pig jaw,…

Pig Jaw and Curios: New Guinea's Fascinating Artifacts

A collection of curios from New Guinea, including a pig jaw, comprising a lime bowl with cassowarry bone spatula from Tambanum and a koteka, the pig jaw 40 cm long

An old mushroom shaped bowl with handle, Boiken Region, Papua…

Boiken Mushroom Bowl with Handle

An old mushroom shaped bowl with handle, Boiken Region, Papua New Guinea, chips to rim, length 46 cm

Papua New Guinea earthernware bowl, clay bowl with geometric…

PNG Geometric Clay Bowl, 36cm (a/f)

Papua New Guinea earthernware bowl, clay bowl with geometric Patterns diameter, 36 cm (a/f small chips)

Papua New Guinea earthernware bowl, clay bowl with geometric…

Geometric Earthenware Bowl from Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea earthernware bowl, clay bowl with geometric Patterns diameter, 26 cm (a/f small chips)

Carved striped ebony fish fruit bowl, Papua New Guinea origin,…

Ebony Fish Fruit Bowl from Papua New Guinea

Carved striped ebony fish fruit bowl, Papua New Guinea origin, 67 cm wide

Coconut bowl, Pacific Islands/PNG 12 cm

Island-inspired Coconut Bowl from Pacific/PNG

Coconut bowl, Pacific Islands/PNG 12 cm

Massim Carved Ceremonial Bowl. Carved, extended planar ends.…

Massim Carved Ceremonial Bowl - 103cm

Massim Carved Ceremonial Bowl. Carved, extended planar ends. Length 103 cm

A ceramic bowl, Amphlett Islands, Papua New Guinea, height 30 cm

Ceramic Bowl from Amphlett Islands, Papua New Guinea

A ceramic bowl, Amphlett Islands, Papua New Guinea, height 30 cm