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...

20 items found:

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

Papua New Guinea, Sepik over modelled wood head hunter trophy…

Sepik Head Hunter Trophy Skull with Shells and Hair

Papua New Guinea, Sepik over modelled wood head hunter trophy skull, decorated with hair and shells, painted in tones of ochre, red and white, height 26 cm

A skull rack, Bamu river, Papua New Guinea, skull racks are…

Papua New Guinea Skull Rack

A skull rack, Bamu river, Papua New Guinea, skull racks are used for the display of skulls of fallen foe. Carved from a light wood, this skull rack depicts an anthropomorphic figure, the negative space between the arms and torso creates a space for ropes…

A stylized skull rack, Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea, height…

Papuan Gulf Skull Rack

A stylized skull rack, Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea, height 117 cm, width 45 cm

An Agiba skull rack, Kerewa or related group, Kikori river…

Agiba Skull Rack from Papua New Guinea

An Agiba skull rack, Kerewa or related group, Kikori river Delta or Turama river, Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea, wood & pigments. Very few 'Agiba' have carved full figures as in this example. Included is Roy Hedlud's photo from 1961, it is at the far…

Skull rack Papua New Guinea, Papuan Gulf Agibas like this were…

Papuan Skull Rack for Powerful Village Protection

Skull rack Papua New Guinea, Papuan Gulf Agibas like this were used to store the skulls of enemies which are believed to contain power which could be used to benefit the village. 108 cm

A Sepik skull rack, Papua New Guinea. Tradtionally used to…

Sepik Skull Rack from Papua New Guinea

A Sepik skull rack, Papua New Guinea. Tradtionally used to display the skulls of slain enemies, but after the 1920s skulls of ancestors, over-modeled with clay, were hung with offerings such as betel nuts and shell money. These ritual maintained the…

Hornbill headhunters ornament, Asmat people, Papua New Guinea.…

Asmat Hornbill Headhunters Ornament

Hornbill headhunters ornament, Asmat people, Papua New Guinea. The Papuan hornbill (Aceros plicatus) is a headhunting symbol. Its feathers and beak are used as ornamental elements in many regions of New Guinea. Hornbill skull highly decorated with shells,…

A wooden mock skull, Blackwater river, Sepik Region, Papua New…

Wooden Mock Skull from Papua New Guinea

A wooden mock skull, Blackwater river, Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea, length 23 cm

Older Papua New Guinea middle Sepik skull rack. Open carved…

Sepik Totem Skull Rack

Older Papua New Guinea middle Sepik skull rack. Open carved figural/totemic form. Some remnant grey pigment. Length 140 cm

Ceremonial skull rack. Sepik river area, height 60 cm

Sepik Skull Rack: A Ceremonial Display

Ceremonial skull rack. Sepik river area, height 60 cm

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

An Overmodelled pig's skull, shell encrusted, pig tusks…

Encrusted Pig Skull with Tusks from Papua New Guinea

An Overmodelled pig's skull, shell encrusted, pig tusks retained, middle Sepik, Papua New Guinea, 36 x 18 x 22 cm

A skull rack, Papuan Gulf. Length 73 cm

Papuan Gulf Skull Rack - 73cm Long

A skull rack, Papuan Gulf. Length 73 cm

Woven Crocodile. A woven cane body over modelling a small…

Crocodile Woven Cane Sculpture

Woven Crocodile. A woven cane body over modelling a small crocodile skull with clay eyes, inset with cowrie shells. Papua New Guinea. Length 105 cm. Width 18 cm.T. Clemence Collection, New Zealand

A Substitute ancestor skull, Sepik region, forehead covered in…

Shell-encrusted Sepik ancestor skull with human hair

A Substitute ancestor skull, Sepik region, forehead covered in shell encrusted resin, human hair on top, shell disc eyes, painted tattoo lines, 25.5 cm high

Rare antique tribal Papua New Guinea machette and sheath with…

Monkey Skull Machette from Papua New Guinea

Rare antique tribal Papua New Guinea machette and sheath with monkey skull adornment

A headhunted skull, Marind-Anim People, Tomerau Village,…

Headhunted Skull from Marind-Anim People

A headhunted skull, Marind-Anim People, Tomerau Village, Merauke, Irian Jaya. 14 cm high, 21 cm wide. 29 cm high including stand

An Ancestor skull, Asmat People. 16 cm high, 28.5 cm including…

Asmat Ancestor Skull with Stand

An Ancestor skull, Asmat People. 16 cm high, 28.5 cm including stand

Kukukuku fibre bound necklace with attached flying fox skulls.…

Flying Fox Skull Necklace with Orchid Beads

Kukukuku fibre bound necklace with attached flying fox skulls. Attached teeth and orchid fibre cylindrical beads. Height 35 cm. Width 20 cm

An Asmat ancestor skull, Irian Jaya. 17 cm long and 18 cm, with…

Asmat Ancestor Skull with Stand

An Asmat ancestor skull, Irian Jaya. 17 cm long and 18 cm, with stand