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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Trobriand Kula canoe Splashboard. Pierced and carved with small…

Trobriand Kula Canoe Splashboard with Figure Crest

Trobriand Kula canoe Splashboard. Pierced and carved with small figure to crest, height 77 cm

A canoe Splashboard 'Lagun', Trobriand Islands, Papua New…

Trobriand Islands Canoe Splashboard

A canoe Splashboard 'Lagun', Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea. Provenance: ex. David Baker collection Sydney, 95 x 56 cm

Two Sentani Paddles, both with profuse geometric spiralling…

Spiralled Sentani Paddles from West Papua

Two Sentani Paddles, both with profuse geometric spiralling designs, Sentani Lakes, West Papua. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, length 154 - 184 cm

Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, ebonised with the…

Ramu River paddle from Papua New Guinea, ebonised with the blade displaying a stylized ancestor figure with a carved throat. 151 cm length, collection of John Perkins

Old Massim dance paddle, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea,…

Massim Dance Paddle from Papua New Guinea

Old Massim dance paddle, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea, length 69 cm

An old canoe prow, profusely carved, incorporating hornbill,…

Asmat Canoe Prow with Carvings and Stand

An old canoe prow, profusely carved, incorporating hornbill, fish, and stone axe motifs, mounted on custom metal stand, Asmat region West Papua. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, height 76 cm

A Massim Region Fibre rolling board, ladies board for rolling…

Massim Ladies Fibre Rolling Board for Grass Skirts

A Massim Region Fibre rolling board, ladies board for rolling rafia fibre to make grass skirts, 61 x 22.5 cm

A Trobriand Islands carved and painted canoe prow, height 89 cm,…

Trobriand Islands Canoe Prow

A Trobriand Islands carved and painted canoe prow, height 89 cm, width 53 cm

Four paddle Terminals, Ramu river 42 cm

Paddle Terminals on Ramu River: 42cm

Four paddle Terminals, Ramu river 42 cm

A Tapa painting Humboldt Bay, West Papua, Collected at Nafri…

Revival of Tapa Painting in West Papua

A Tapa painting Humboldt Bay, West Papua, Collected at Nafri village Humboldt Bay 1986; the tapa cloths from lake Sentani and Humboldt Bay in N.W. Irian Jaya are locally known as Maro Smo. Early accounts of the local people making and wearing decorated…

A splash board, Trobriand Islands, 91 cm

Trobriand Splash Board - 91cm

A splash board, Trobriand Islands, 91 cm

Steering paddle. Signed by carver. Purchased from owner on…

Trobriand Island Carved Steering Paddle

Steering paddle. Signed by carver. Purchased from owner on Kitava Island, Milne Bay, Trobriand Islands. Jutta Malnic collection

A paddle, Buka Islands, Solomon Islands. A decorative paddle…

Decorative Buka Islands Paddle

A paddle, Buka Islands, Solomon Islands. A decorative paddle for display. Paddles from Buka Islands are known for being highly decorated. I carved from a single piece of wood, this baddle has a long cylindrical shaft with a elongated leaf-shaped blade.…

A Gopi board, incised design with ochres, Papuan Gulf, Papua…

Papuan Gulf Incised Gopi Board

A Gopi board, incised design with ochres, Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea, height 137 cm

New Guinea canoe prow, carved in the form of a mythical beaked…

Mythical Beaked Canoe Prow on Stand

New Guinea canoe prow, carved in the form of a mythical beaked creature, on stand, height 61 cm

A Gope board, Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea

Papuan Gulf Gope Board

A Gope board, Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea

A lake Sentani paddle, carved regional motif on both sides of…

Sentani Paddle with Regional Motif Carvings

A lake Sentani paddle, carved regional motif on both sides of blade, 139.5 cm long

A large upper Sepik Swagup village canoe prow decoration, at…

Sepik Swagup Canoe Prow Decoration with Crocodile Motif

A large upper Sepik Swagup village canoe prow decoration, at end, stylised crocodile, at sides, regional ornamental carvings, 147 cm long

Ancestral board painted and incised with symmetrical carvings.…

Symmetrical Ancestral Board from Papua New Guinea

Ancestral board painted and incised with symmetrical carvings. Blackwater river, East Sepik. Province, Papua New Guinea. 126 cm

A Massim splash board, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea,…

Massim Splash Board with Female Reproductive Organ Design

A Massim splash board, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea, with a finely incised and decorated design representing elements of the female reproductive organs, some wear and marking from use

Papua New Guinea Asmat ancestral figure. Mask and recumbent…

Asmat Ancestral Figure Mask and Recumbent Board

Papua New Guinea Asmat ancestral figure. Mask and recumbent figure on double board. Weathered lime and red ochre patina. Provenance: Collection Sir James & Lady Cruthers, Perth. Length 120 cm

A huon Gulf paddle and one dark wood paddle, with profuse…

Intricately Designed Huon Gulf Paddle from PNG

A huon Gulf paddle and one dark wood paddle, with profuse intricate incised design at paddle base, some damage to one side, binding repair to shaft, huon Gulf PNG. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, length 182 cm

A Gope board, with stylised figure incised to front with…

Papuan Gulf Gope Board with Stylised Figure

A Gope board, with stylised figure incised to front with exaggerated head, decorated with natural earth pigments, Papuan Gulf region PNG. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, length 145 cm

West Papua, Humboldt bay area, canoe prow ornament with incised…

Humboldt Bay Canoe Prow Ornament

West Papua, Humboldt bay area, canoe prow ornament with incised decoration and painted in tones of red and black, set on metal stand, length 61 cm

Two old Mimika Paddles, Mimika area, south Coast West Papua;…

Mimika Ancestor Paddles: Classic Designs from West Papua

Two old Mimika Paddles, Mimika area, south Coast West Papua; finely incised with classical abstract Mimika designs that represent ancestor figures like on Yamate boards. Exhibited: Pacific Navigation Exhibition 2013 at Casula Powerhouse gallery. 203 cm,…

A splash board, Trobriand Islands, 55 cm

Trobriand Splash Board

A splash board, Trobriand Islands, 55 cm

Paddle, Lake Sentani, West Papua. Carved and engraved hardwood…

Sentani Lake Paddle

Paddle, Lake Sentani, West Papua. Carved and engraved hardwood and natural pigments. A long boat's oar, carved from one piece of hard, light-coloured wood. With a long, flat, pointed paddle shovel, decorated on both sides with highly abstract geometric…

Three old Geelvink Bay canoe ornaments, field collected in…

Geelvink Bay Canoe Ornaments: Memories and Wealth Objects

Three old Geelvink Bay canoe ornaments, field collected in Wandaman Bay, north Coast West Papua, 1985; these finely carved canoe ornaments were from a large war canoe that is no longer made, they were kept as memories of the grandparents and great…

Four Sepik river canoe Prows, two in the form of crocodile…

Sepik River Canoe Prows: Crocodile Head and More

Four Sepik river canoe Prows, two in the form of crocodile heads. The longest prow 70 cm

A Malu ceremonial board, middle Sepik river, Papua New Guinea,…

Malu Ceremonial Board from Papua New Guinea

A Malu ceremonial board, middle Sepik river, Papua New Guinea, ochre on carved wood, 205 x 30 x 6 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 blade and carved geometric pattern to the handle, height 179 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 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 Gope board, Papuan Gulf, finely carved and painted with red…

Gope Board from Papuan Gulf

A Gope board, Papuan Gulf, finely carved and painted with red and white ochres. 151 x 31 cm

An important early bone harpoon, Asmat,Papua New Guinea.…

Ancient Bone Harpoon and Ritual Dagger from Papua New Guinea

An important early bone harpoon, Asmat,Papua New Guinea. Provenance: Leo Fleischmann collection no. LF/I87 Fleischmann was the manager of gallery Primitif in Sydney from 1967 to 1993, and he had one of the finest collections of Oceanic clubs &…

Three canoe prow ornaments, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea.…

Trobriand Islands Canoe Prow Ornaments

Three canoe prow ornaments, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea. Provenance: David Baker Collection.

Rare Papua New Guinea, Walomo village, canoe prow, c.1970s, of…

Papua New Guinea Canoe Prow of Friar Bird Form

Rare Papua New Guinea, Walomo village, canoe prow, c.1970s, of bird form, in tones of red, brown, yellow and white, set on a custom stand, height 31 cm and 43.5 cm (including stand), width 23 cm catalogue note: this is the full size prow piece of one of…

Gope Board. Of long flattened, ovoid form with intricate…

Papua New Guinea Gope Board with Intricate Decoration

Gope Board. Of long flattened, ovoid form with intricate incised and raised decoration, coloured with red, black and white natural pigments. Dry patina. Papua New Guinea. Length 189 cm. Width 27 cm. Provenance: T. Clemence Collection, New Zealand

Two Papuan Gope boards, including a Gobari island board, 85 x…

Papuan Gope Boards: Gobari and Island Design

Two Papuan Gope boards, including a Gobari island board, 85 x 26.5 cm

A hardwood carved, Papua New Guinea ceremonial paddle, used in…

PNG Independence Day Ceremonial Paddle with Carvings

A hardwood carved, Papua New Guinea ceremonial paddle, used in PNG Independence Day performances Sept 16, 1975, on stage with Prince Charles (Queen's representative) and Gough Whitlam (Australian PM), et al. With carved figure either side of the…

Rare Papua New Guinea, Walomo village, canoe prow, c.1970s, of…

Walomo Village Canoe Prow of Bird Form

Rare Papua New Guinea, Walomo village, canoe prow, c.1970s, of bird form, painted in tones of yellow, orange, black and white, a/f (chip to beak) length 46 cm and width 24 cm catalogue note: this is the full size prow piece of one of the elaborately…

A pair of lower Sepik canoe boards, with carved and incised…

Butterfly canoe boards from Lower Sepik

A pair of lower Sepik canoe boards, with carved and incised butterfly decoration, 133 x 35 cm (each)

A New Guinea canoe paddle, the shaft extending with figural…

New Guinea Figural Canoe Paddle from Dillon Collection

A New Guinea canoe paddle, the shaft extending with figural carving to the blade, along with other relief carving, remnants of binding to terminal end, length 164 cm. From the Collection of Hannah Martha Dillon, nee Carkeek (1881-1963).

Two finely carved Massim canoe wave Splitters, [2], both finely…

Pair of Massim Canoe Wave Splitters with Bird Designs

Two finely carved Massim canoe wave Splitters, [2], both finely incised with stylised birds and other Massim designs (one has a small 10 cm repair). Provenance: David Baker collection. David Baker was serving President of the Oceanic Art Society until his…

Two fine old Paddles, Humboldt Bay, finely incised designs…

Stylized Fish Paddles from Humboldt Bay

Two fine old Paddles, Humboldt Bay, finely incised designs including stylized fish on both sides of the paddle blade. Exhibited: Pacific Navigation Exhibition 2013 at Casula Powerhouse Gallery. 185 cm, 205 cm (2)

A Massim Region canoe prow Splitter with Its canoe ornament,…

Massim Canoe Prow with Protective Ornament

A Massim Region canoe prow Splitter with Its canoe ornament, Taburi, the ornament served a protective function, 111.5 cm high with ornament.

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

Trobriand Islands splash board carved wood, restored

Restored Trobriand Islands Carved Wood Splash Board

Trobriand Islands splash board carved wood, restored

A Gope ancestral board 'Titihebia, Goabari Island, Papuan Gulf,…

Gope Ancestral Board from Papua New Guinea

A Gope ancestral board 'Titihebia, Goabari Island, Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea, height 71 cm

A Yamate ancestor board, Eastern Mimika area, Kekwa village,…

Yamate Ancestor Board from West Papua

A Yamate ancestor board, Eastern Mimika area, Kekwa village, south Coast West Papua; this finely carved and painted ancestor board. Collected by Todd Barlin on his first trip to the Mimika area in the 1980's. 180 x 20 cm

A Gope board, showing signs of age, extensively carved and…

Aged Gope Board from Papua Gulf, PNG

A Gope board, showing signs of age, extensively carved and decorated with red ochre, collection # 3.882.225, Siviri village, Karima area Papuan Gulf PNG. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, Ex Deutscher & Hackett Lot 189,…

Three old canoe Paddles, lake Sentani, finely incised…

Traditional Canoe Paddles with Fish Designs

Three old canoe Paddles, lake Sentani, finely incised traditional designs including stylised fish on both sides of the paddle blade Exhibited: Pacific Navigation Exhibition 2013 at Casula Powerhouse Gallery. 158 cm, 164 cm, 165 cm (3)

A canoe prow ornament, Geelvink Bay, West Papua, (early-mid…

Geelvink Bay Canoe Prow Ornament

A canoe prow ornament, Geelvink Bay, West Papua, (early-mid twentieth century), carved wood, 88.5 cm high. Provenance: Todd Barlin, Sydney. Private Collection, Sydney

Two fine old Ramu River area Paddles, with a finely incised…

Ramu River Ancestor Paddles with Incised Figures

Two fine old Ramu River area Paddles, with a finely incised stylized ancestor figure on both sides of the blade and full ancestor figure finial to top of paddle. Exhibited: Pacific Navigation Exhibition 2013 at Casula Powerhouse gallery *see photo 217 cm,…

Four old Geelvink Bay canoe ornaments, field collected in…

Geelvink Bay Canoe Ornaments from West Papua

Four old Geelvink Bay canoe ornaments, field collected in Wandaman Bay, north Coast West Papua, 1985; these finely carved canoe ornaments were from a large war canoe that is no longer made, they were kept as memories of the grandparents and great…

A house board, April River,Papua New Guinea. Provenance:…

Old House Panel from Papua New Guinea

A house board, April River,Papua New Guinea. Provenance: University of NSW library collection. This old house panel was deacessioned from the University of NSW library collection and was sold with a group of other old New Guinea artefacts including a…

Two old Geelvink Bay canoe ornaments, field collected in…

Geelvink Bay Canoe Ornaments: Memories and Wealth Objects

Two old Geelvink Bay canoe ornaments, field collected in Wandaman Bay, north Coast West Papua, 1985; these finely carved canoe ornaments were from a large war canoe that is no longer made, they were kept as memories of the grandparents and great…

Three old canoe paddles, Lake Sentani, finely incised…

Sentani Canoe Paddles with Traditional Designs

Three old canoe paddles, Lake Sentani, finely incised traditional designs including stylized fish on both sides of the paddle blade. Exhibited: Pacific Navigation Exhibition 2013 at Casula Powerhouse gallery. 170 cm, 145 cm, 171 cm (3)

Two old Geelvink Bay canoe ornaments, field collected in…

Geelvink Bay Canoe Ornaments from West Papua

Two old Geelvink Bay canoe ornaments, field collected in Wandaman Bay, north Coast West Papua, 1985; these finely carved canoe ornaments were from a large war canoe that is no longer made, they were kept as memories of the grandparents and great…

Three old canoe paddles, Lake Sentani, finely incised designs…

Sentani Canoe Paddles with Stylized Fish Designs

Three old canoe paddles, Lake Sentani, finely incised designs including stylized fish on both sides of the paddle blade. Exhibited: Pacific Navigation Exhibition 2103 at Casula Powerhouse Gallery. 165 cm, 171 cm,174 cm (3)

A Massim Region canoe Splashboard, circa 1950, heavily carved…

Heavily Carved Massim Canoe Splashboard, 1950

A Massim Region canoe Splashboard, circa 1950, heavily carved with incised scroll motif to top, old damage to back, 71 cm

A canoe board, showing signs of wear from use, cracks to front…

Worn canoe board from Murik Lakes, PNG

A canoe board, showing signs of wear from use, cracks to front A/F, collection # 118045, Murik Lakes, lower Sepik region PNG. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, length 42 cm

Splash board for a large Ocean Going canoe, Tami or Siassi…

Ocean Canoe Splash Board from Papua New Guinea

Splash board for a large Ocean Going canoe, Tami or Siassi Island, huon Gulf, Morobe Province,Papua New Guinea. Provenance: Collected by Peter Hallinan, 1982, on Tuam Island, Dampier Straits, Morobe Province, from the owner of the large ocean going canoe…

An Asmat canoe prow of large proportions. Asmat Region, West…

Large Asmat Canoe Prow from West Papua

An Asmat canoe prow of large proportions. Asmat Region, West Papua; A/F. Provenance: Ex. Peter Hallinan collection #1451. Length 138 cm

A ceremonial spirit board 'Gope'Kwoi, Purari Delta Papuan Gulf,…

Ceremonial Spirit Board from Papuan Gulf, New Guinea

A ceremonial spirit board 'Gope'Kwoi, Purari Delta Papuan Gulf, New Guinea. 19th/20th century. Provenance: Dr. K. Nibbrig. University of Medicine. Vienna Austria. 103 cm

Buka Island paddles, superb pair with detailed raised carving…

Raised Carved Buka Island Paddles (2)

Buka Island paddles, superb pair with detailed raised carving to blades, traces of black and red pigments evident, length 158 & 146 cm (2)

Large Sepik canoe prow wooden carved prow with abstract…

Abstract Crocodilian Canoe Prow with Bird Form

Large Sepik canoe prow wooden carved prow with abstract crocodilian form to front extending to a raised, beaked, hooked spine ridge and a carved stylised bird form. Weathered grey patina. Similar example in the Basel Museum. Length 124 cm. Width 36 cm

A Buka paddle, Solomon Islands, an ancestral head carved on…

Solomon Islands Ancestral Head Buka Paddle

A Buka paddle, Solomon Islands, an ancestral head carved on blade, 157 cm long

A large and impressive splashboard (Lagim), Trobriand Islands,…

Trobriand Islands' Lagim Splashboard: Protection and Magic

A large and impressive splashboard (Lagim), Trobriand Islands, mid 20th century carved wood This large and impressive splashboard, Lagim, from a kula canoe of the Trobriand Islands is unusual for its magnificence and size. The splashboard had both…

Three old Massim lime spatula's, all finely carved with traces…

Massim Lime Spatulas: Turtle, Canoe, and Janus Figures

Three old Massim lime spatula's, all finely carved with traces of lime infill; left: in the form of a stylized turtle with fine incised designs, centre: in the form of a canoe design, Ex. Crispin Howarth collection, right: a fine Janus figure with two…

Buka Island ceremonial paddle. With low relief figural carving…

Ceremonial Paddle with Figural Carvings and Ochre Pigments

Buka Island ceremonial paddle. With low relief figural carving to blade. Decorated with red, white and black ochre pigments. Length 174 cm