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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A New Guinea gable mask, incised decoration with natural ochres,…

New Guinea Gable Mask: Tongue Protruding

A New Guinea gable mask, incised decoration with natural ochres, tongue protruding, Guvermas village, Blackwater river, Sepik region, PNG, 87 x 47 cm

An ancestral head, Sepik together with crocodile figure and…

Sepik Ancestral Head with Crocodile Figure and Mask

An ancestral head, Sepik together with crocodile figure and mask. Ex Moriarty collection ancestral head catalogue no; M246. Provenance: Stan Moriarty collection. 25 cm

An ancestral mask, carved wood and natural fibre with feather…

Papua New Guinea Ancestral Mask with Feather Fringe

An ancestral mask, carved wood and natural fibre with feather fringe, Biwat river, Papua New Guinea, circa 1960, 53 cm high overall

A tribal mask, carved wood, shell, tusk and fibre with natural…

Wewak Tribal Mask

A tribal mask, carved wood, shell, tusk and fibre with natural earth pigments, Wewak, Papua New Guinea, mid 20th century 53 cm

Older Papua New Guinea mask. Coastal Sepik, with incised whorls.…

Coastal Sepik Mask with Whorls and Patina

Older Papua New Guinea mask. Coastal Sepik, with incised whorls. Village patina with loss. Height 45 cm

Papua New Guinea ancestral mask, red ochre finish with shell…

Red Ochre Ancestral Mask with Shell and Feather Decorations

Papua New Guinea ancestral mask, red ochre finish with shell and feather decorations, height 43 cm

Papua New Guinea ancestral mask, polychrome finish with…

Polychrome Ancestral Mask with Elongated Chin and Straw Decorations

Papua New Guinea ancestral mask, polychrome finish with elongated Chin, and Straw decorations, height 57 cm a/f missing parts

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 PNG carved wooden mask, traditional features and notch cut…

Traditional PNG Carved Wooden Mask

A PNG carved wooden mask, traditional features and notch cut lower border, height 75.5 cm.

Fine New Britain mask, a Tago mask of classical form, made of…

Classical Tago Mask from Papua New Guinea

Fine New Britain mask, a Tago mask of classical form, made of beaten bark cloth stretched on a wicker frame. Attached painted wooden nose and large natural-fibre coiffure. Overall, structurally sound. Red, white and black natural pigments. Papua New…

A large Papua New Guinean mask, with face painted in bright…

Papua New Guinean Earth-Toned Fibre Mask

A large Papua New Guinean mask, with face painted in bright earth tones and fibre attached around lower half. Height 77 cm

A Papua New Guinea Sepik River Mask

Sepik River Mask from Papua New Guinea

A Papua New Guinea Sepik River Mask

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.

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…

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

Papua New Guinea mask, some losses, length 63 cm

Papua New Guinea Mask - 63cm Length, Some Losses

Papua New Guinea mask, some losses, length 63 cm

P.N.G Sepik river turtle shell mask early clay mask on top of…

Sepik Turtle Shell Mask with Feathers and Shells

P.N.G Sepik river turtle shell mask early clay mask on top of turtle shell with woven cane and bird feathers for hair, inlaid shells and in black, white and red colours, length 28 cm

P.N.G bone mask Sepik river early clay mask on top of animal…

Sepik River Bone Mask with Natural Materials and Inlays

P.N.G bone mask Sepik river early clay mask on top of animal rib cage with natural woven materials and bird feathers for hair, inlaid shells, boar tusks and in black, yellow white and red colours, length 30 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

Papua New Guinea lower Sepik carved wooden mask 55 cm

Sepik Wooden Mask - 55cm

Papua New Guinea lower Sepik carved wooden mask 55 cm

An ancestral mask, Guvermas village, Blackwater river, Papua…

Guvermas Ancestral Mask from Papua New Guinea

An ancestral mask, Guvermas village, Blackwater river, Papua New Guinea, height 106 cm

Papua New Guinea coastal spirit mask. White ochre painted long…

Coastal Spirit Mask with Shells and Feathers

Papua New Guinea coastal spirit mask. White ochre painted long mask with overmodeled shells, feathers and boars teeth., length 106 cm (incl feathers)

A lower Sepik river Brag mask, Murik lakes Region, Papua New…

Murik Lakes Brag Mask with Shell Eyes and Incised Design

A lower Sepik river Brag mask, Murik lakes Region, Papua New Guinea, with shell eye inserts and incised design, height 55 cm

A yam mask, Wosera, Southern Abelam, Papua New Guinea, height…

Wosera Yam Mask from Papua New Guinea

A yam mask, Wosera, Southern Abelam, Papua New Guinea, height 30 cm

A Sepik river ancestral mask, Papua New Guinea

Sepik River Ancestral Mask from Papua New Guinea

A Sepik river ancestral mask, Papua New Guinea

A Sepik river ancestral mask, with polychrome Ochre decoration,…

Sepik River Ancestral Mask with Ochre Decoration

A Sepik river ancestral mask, with polychrome Ochre decoration, Papua New Guinea, height 65 cm

An Abelam Balsa wood yam mask, with woven cassowary and parrot…

Abelam Balsa Wood Yam Mask with Feather Headdress

An Abelam Balsa wood yam mask, with woven cassowary and parrot feather headdress, Maprik region, East Sepik Provence, Papua New Guinea, height 23 cm

An ancestral mask, with prominent face in centre, shell eyes,…

Sepik Ancestral Mask: Traditional Design from PNG

An ancestral mask, with prominent face in centre, shell eyes, profusely carved in traditional designs, Sepik river region PNG. Provenance: The Dr George Soutter and Dr John Yu collection, height 73 cm

Abelam yam mask, 'Babamini', Wosera 42 cm

Abelam Yam Mask "Babamini" (Wosera, 42cm)

Abelam yam mask, 'Babamini', Wosera 42 cm

Papua New Guinea Latmul large ancestor mask. Ovoid form, bird…

Latmul Ancestor Mask with Bird Headdress

Papua New Guinea Latmul large ancestor mask. Ovoid form, bird figure headdress, and shell inset eyes. Length 116 cm

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

Papua New Guinea spirit mask, Sepik River polychrome finish,…

Sepik River Polychrome Spirit Mask with Grass Beard

Papua New Guinea spirit mask, Sepik River polychrome finish, with grass beard and shell decorations, height 90 cm

Papua New Guinea mwai mask, faded red ochre finish, Sepik River…

Sepik River Bird Motif Mwai Mask, 72cm Height

Papua New Guinea mwai mask, faded red ochre finish, Sepik River bird motif, height 72 cm

A PNG small mask, fashioned from a turtle carapace and clay…

Turtle Carapace Mask Pendant with Shell Necklace

A PNG small mask, fashioned from a turtle carapace and clay inset with shells and with boar tusk pierced septum, suspended on a shell necklace, height 18 cm.

A Ramu River mask and cassowary bone Dagger

Ramu Mask and Cassowary Dagger

A Ramu River mask and cassowary bone Dagger

A Baba mask, Abelam people, Maprik Region, East Sepik Province,…

Abelam Baba Mask from Papua New Guinea

A Baba mask, Abelam people, Maprik Region, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, height 30 cm, diameter 50 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

P.N.G bone mask Sepik river early clay mask on top of possible…

Sepik River Bone Mask with Feathered Hair

P.N.G bone mask Sepik river early clay mask on top of possible animal skull with natural woven materials and bird feathers for hair, inlaid shells and painted in black, white and brown colours, length 20 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

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 ritual staff. With well carved crocodile,…

Papua New Guinea Ritual Staff with Crocodile and Masks

Papua New Guinea ritual staff. With well carved crocodile, human face and zoomorphic mask. Length 100 cm

An ancestor mask, Abelam, Maprik Region, Papua New Guinea,…

Abelam Ancestor Mask from Papua New Guinea

An ancestor mask, Abelam, Maprik Region, Papua New Guinea, length 43 cm

Papua New Guinea spirit mask. Long oval ochre painted mask with…

Ochre Spirit Mask with Carved Bird

Papua New Guinea spirit mask. Long oval ochre painted mask with serrated top and carved bird under, length 104 cm

Wosera yam mask, woven cane decorated with natural ochres. East…

Wosera Yam Mask from Papua New Guinea

Wosera yam mask, woven cane decorated with natural ochres. East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, height 35 cm

Papua New Guinea tribal mask, approx 58 cm high, 39 cm wide

Papua New Guinea Tribal Mask - 58x39cm

Papua New Guinea tribal mask, approx 58 cm high, 39 cm wide

A Papua New Guinea Ramu River Mask

Ramu River Mask from Papua New Guinea

A Papua New Guinea Ramu River Mask

Three Papua New Guinea yam masks. Two woven cane, undecorated;…

Papua New Guinea Yam Masks

Three Papua New Guinea yam masks. Two woven cane, undecorated; plus double sided woven cane yam ceremony mask. Ochre & feather decoration to same. Height 25 cm (largest)

Papua New Guinea woven cane spirit mask. Ochred split cane with…

Ochred Cane Spirit Mask with Feather Trim

Papua New Guinea woven cane spirit mask. Ochred split cane with feather trim. Height 89 cm

Papua New Guinea carved wooden mask. Elongated spirit mask with…

Elongated Spirit Mask with Shell and Tusk Decoration

Papua New Guinea carved wooden mask. Elongated spirit mask with shell and tusk decoration. Height 70 cm

Papua New Guinea spirit mask, polychrome finish with shell…

Sepik River Spirit Mask with Shell Decorations

Papua New Guinea spirit mask, polychrome finish with shell decorations, Sepik River, height 90 cm a/f missing parts

Papua New Guinea ancestral mask, polychrome finish Sepik River,…

Sepik River Polychrome Ancestral Mask (9 words)

Papua New Guinea ancestral mask, polychrome finish Sepik River, height 73 cm

Papua New Guinea spirit mask, Sepik River polychrome finish,…

Sepik River Polychrome Spirit Mask with Shell Decorations

Papua New Guinea spirit mask, Sepik River polychrome finish, with grass beard and shell decorations, height 83 cm

Papua New Guinea ancestral mask, serrated Forehead with shell…

Serrated Ancestral Mask from Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea ancestral mask, serrated Forehead with shell eyes and elongated Chin, height 65 cm

Papua New Guinea spirit mask, conical eyes with boar motif

Boar-Eyed Spirit Mask from Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea spirit mask, conical eyes with boar motif

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

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

P.N.G Sepik river turtle shell mask early clay mask on top of…

Sepik River Turtle Shell Mask with Feather Hair

P.N.G Sepik river turtle shell mask early clay mask on top of turtle shell with natural woven materials and bird feathers for hair, inlaid shells and in black, yellow white and red colours, length 25 cm

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

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

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

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

Papua New Guinea ancestral mask. Sepik River carved softwood…

Sepik River Ancestral Mask

Papua New Guinea ancestral mask. Sepik River carved softwood with shell eyes. Length 115 cm

Papua New Guinea Sepik dance paddle. Small, carved mask form.…

Sepik Dance Paddle Mask: Carved Papua New Guinea Art

Papua New Guinea Sepik dance paddle. Small, carved mask form. Height 41 cm

A Sepik River ancestral mask, Iatmul people, East Sepik…

Iatmul Ancestral Mask with Cowrie Shells and Pigments

A Sepik River ancestral mask, Iatmul people, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, with wooden base decorated & cane surround, cowrie shells & natural earth pigments, on custom steel stand. Provenance: The Andrew Korda & Susan Pearson collection, height…

A Komongani village initiation mask, Sawos people, Sepik plains,…

Sawos Initiation Mask from Papua New Guinea

A Komongani village initiation mask, Sawos people, Sepik plains, Papua New Guinea, height 44 cm

A lower Sepik ancestral mask, Angoram Region, Papua New Guinea,…

Lower Sepik Ancestral Mask, Papua New Guinea

A lower Sepik ancestral mask, Angoram Region, Papua New Guinea, minor chips a/f, height 43 cm

A Sepik ancestral mask, Angoram Region, Papua New Guinea,…

Sepik Ancestral Mask with Insect Damage

A Sepik ancestral mask, Angoram Region, Papua New Guinea, insect damage to face a/f, height 51 cm

Papua New Guinea ancestral mask. Carved wood with cane and…

Ancestral Mask with Feather and Cane Perimeter

Papua New Guinea ancestral mask. Carved wood with cane and feather woven perimeter. Longhouse patina, length 34 cm (mask without feathers)

Yangoru, Boiken Talipon Bride Price. Woven and painted cane…

Boiken Bride Price Mask

Yangoru, Boiken Talipon Bride Price. Woven and painted cane mask on a large conus shell segment. David Said Collection.

A collection of seven Sepik river area carvings, including…

Sepik River Carving Collection

A collection of seven Sepik river area carvings, including masks, a figure, a comb and a fine Kambot village story board, Ex Ruth collection Papua New Guinea 1970's, length 16 - 51 cm

Papua New Guinea carved and painted tribal art mask, approx 67…

Tribal Art Mask from Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea carved and painted tribal art mask, approx 67 cm high

A double faced ancestral mask, Sepik river Region, Papua New…

Double-Faced Sepik River Ancestral Mask

A double faced ancestral mask, Sepik river Region, Papua New Guinea 84 cm

A Sepik ancestor mask 21 cm

Sepik Ancestor Mask - 21cm

A Sepik ancestor mask 21 cm

Two Ambrym masks. Provenance: David Baker Collection. 110 cm…

David Baker's Ambrym Mask Collection

Two Ambrym masks. Provenance: David Baker Collection. 110 cm each

A New Guinea Sepik River carved ancestral mask shield shaped,…

Sepik River Ancestral Mask with Bird Motifs

A New Guinea Sepik River carved ancestral mask shield shaped, ochre painted with bird motifs. Length 83 cm

Three various Papua New Guinea masks. Two hooked beak totemic…

Papua New Guinea Mask Trio

Three various Papua New Guinea masks. Two hooked beak totemic masks with incised ochre decoration; & small older ancestor mask with shell eyes. Height 44 cm 33 cm & 21 cm

Two Papua New Guinea carved figures and pot. Yendigum mask with…

Papua New Guinea Carvings and Pot

Two Papua New Guinea carved figures and pot. Yendigum mask with lime highlights; Kamanisit crouching female; and double faced Chambri Lakes pot (losses). Height 43 cm. (mask)

Papua New Guinea carved Totemic mask. Face with protruding…

Totemic Fish Mask with Protruding Tongue

Papua New Guinea carved Totemic mask. Face with protruding tongue; relief carved fish verso. Height 83 cm

Papua New Guinea carved Totemic figural board. Carved hardwood…

Totemic Figural Board with Linked Masks

Papua New Guinea carved Totemic figural board. Carved hardwood linked masks. Length 143 cm

Papua New Guinea wall mask. Length 75 cm

Papua New Guinea 75cm Wall Mask

Papua New Guinea wall mask. Length 75 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 Papua New Guinea ancestral mask, in carved wood with ochre…

PNG Ancestral Mask with Shells and Ochre Pigment

A Papua New Guinea ancestral mask, in carved wood with ochre pigment and inset shells. Length 53 cm, width 20 cm

A Papua New Guinea Ancetral mask, in carved wood with ochre…

Papua New Guinea Wood Mask with Shell Eyes

A Papua New Guinea Ancetral mask, in carved wood with ochre pigment, inset shell eyes. Length 52 cm, width 20 cm

A middle Sepik naturalistic mask, Papua New Guinea. Of flat…

Sepik Naturalistic Mask with White Pigment and Carvings

A middle Sepik naturalistic mask, Papua New Guinea. Of flat ovoid form, naturalistic face in its center with domed forehead and tongue out, each facial feature highlighted with white pigment. Decorated with carved concentric circles and arrow-shaped…

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

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

A painted and carved mask, Abelam people, Maprik Region, East…

Abelam Mask from Papua New Guinea

A painted and carved mask, Abelam people, Maprik Region, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, height 52 cm, width 16 cm

An Iatmul ancestral mask, middle Sepik River, Papua New Guinea,…

Iatmul Ancestral Mask from Papua New Guinea

An Iatmul ancestral mask, middle Sepik River, Papua New Guinea, height 62 cm

Sepik masks (2) over modelled mask and dagger with feathers and…

Sepik Mask and Dagger with Feathers and Shells

Sepik masks (2) over modelled mask and dagger with feathers and inlaid Cowrie shells, human hair, and woven fibre bases. Turtle shell, bone, natural pigments. Length 40 cm. Width 12 cm. Length 30 cm. Width 160 mm

Yam mask, finely woven fibre mask with painted yellow, black…

Sepik Yam Mask

Yam mask, finely woven fibre mask with painted yellow, black and red pigment designs. Sepik. Length 43 cm. Width 16 cm

Yam mask, finely woven mask with painted designs. Decorated…

Abelam Woven Yam Mask with Painted Designs

Yam mask, finely woven mask with painted designs. Decorated with fibre and black, red and white pigments. Abelam. Length 30 cm. Width 31 cm

A small New Guinea moulded clay and tortoise shell mask with…

New Guinea Clay and Shell Mask with Feather Decoration

A small New Guinea moulded clay and tortoise shell mask with courie shell eyes and border decorated with fibre twist and feathers. Height 17 cm. Width 12 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

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

A New Guinea ancestral mask, with inlaid shell and natural…

Sepik River Ancestral Mask with Shell Inlay and Ochre Decoration

A New Guinea ancestral mask, with inlaid shell and natural ochre decoration, woven tassles to ears, Tambanum village, Sepik river, PNG, 75 x 40 cm