Papua New Guinean Decorative Objects

Sago peg, tapak, Abelam/Wosera people, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea Sago pegs are used to secure a screen mesh during the preparation of sago flour. This example depicts a ...

This striking Yipwon sculpture is a powerful testament to the artistic and spiritual traditions of the Alamblak people from Papua New Guinea. The figure's strong, masculine head bala...

A ritual artifact from the tribe of the Asmat poeple, an ethnic group of New Guinea living in the Papua province of Indonesia and South-western regions of Papua New Guinea, bis or bisj pole is carved out of a wild Mangrove tree and can reach a stunning height Their carvings depict stacked human and animal figures standing and on top always phallic symbols, in the shape of a canoe prow. Bis poles...

Papua New Guinea standing male ancestral figure. Hand carved from a single piece of wood. Beautiful old pigmented surface w/ finely decorated facial features and shell eyes. Good sig...

Yiman (Alamblak) People, Southern Hills, Middle Sepik River 42 x 10 x 2 in. / 107 x 25 x 5 cm The Yipwon are the patron spirits of hunting and warfare.

Late 19th-early 20th Bailer shell pectoral, Highlands, possibly Mendi People, Papua New Guinea These large shell pectorals were worn ceremonially by men and women in Papua New Guine...

Tapa dance shield. Baining People, New Britain, Papua New Guinea. First half, 20th century Pounded mulberry bark painted with natural pigments Measure...

A stunning and large antique tribal carved wooden feast bowl originating from Papau New Guinea and dating from the early 20th century. The bowl is hand chip...

This piece is an excellent example of an adornment used by Abelam warriors to frighten their enemies. They are held in a warrior’s mouth for courage and to intimidate their adversary...

Yua Shell Currency, Bride’s Price Sepik River Region, Papua New Guinea Hand carved from a clam shell Measures: 7.5 x 8.5 in / 19 x 22 cm Height on c...

Early 20th century shell money ring mounted on a custom made stand, Papua New Guinea.

A single Yua Wenga currency from the early 20th century on custom iron stand. This antique tribal currency piece from Papua New Guinea has been carved ...

mid-20th century Tami Islands Papua new guinea wooden feast bowl Of classic form, each end carved with raised and incised imagery depicting stylized sea cr...

A Papua New Guinea yam festival mask of a horn-billed bird from the mid-20th century. This vintage ceremonial mask, also referred to as a baba mask, originates from the Abelam people...

Abstract and anthropomorphic large figure from the Pie River, located to the east of the Era River. Abstract, anthropomorphic form stands on separate legs with dynamic varying outline, wide hips, and torso leading straight to a rounded head. Figure represents Irivake, the ancestor hero who is considered as the founder of headhunting, also believed to have climbed to the sky and to command lightning. It is enlivened with various curvilinear details highlighted with red and white pigments. The back appears with a collection number in red, and the following: Ipigau (village), Upper Pie River, Papua, P63.20. This is a 'later example', not a first generation piece with several age cracks. It has likely seen field use, but not extensive field use. Provenance: Private New Jersey Collection, ex. Michael Rockefeller...

Late 19th to early 20th century New Guinea, Trobriand Islands, Milne Bay, Massim People carved wooden pigs with incised decoration and flat paddle-style tai...

A pair of decoratively carved wood splash boards from the southeastern region of Papua, New Guinea, presented on custom stands. This pair of vintage tribal boards have been carved fr...

A vintage carved wood crocodile head boat prow from Papua New Guinea. This mid-20th century Papua New Guinean boat prow has been carved out of wood and features the head of a crocodi...

An old and authentic votive board representing the spirit of water, Shamanic, Primitive Arts, Tribal Art, Brutalist, Shabby-Chic, in carved wood and painted with patina due to use, characteristic work of the creations of the Kwoma people , Washkuk Mountains, Upper Sepik region, Papua New Guinea, 1950. This votive board comes from the former collection of a French diplomat...

Early Large Food Bowl, Tami Islands, Huon Gulf, Papua New Guinea This large food bowl exhibits a pleasing asymmetry in the raised relief carving of the t...

A Garra hook by Bahinemo People of Hustein Mountains from Mid-Sepik River region in Papua New Guinea. The highly sculptural mask is one of the most iconic and mysterious designs from...

Large and exceptional vintage tribal carved green jade/nephrite axe from Sentani, Papau New Guinea. The Axe is mounted in a custom made bronze base and is...

Unusual dramatic and large ceremonial female figure from New Guinea hand made with carved wood and mixed media.

Yua Shell Currency, Bride’s Price Sepik River Region, Papua New Guinea Hand carved from a clam shell Measures: 7 x 7.5 in / 18 x 19 cm Height on cus...

Mid to late 20th century incised bamboo comb, Huon Gulf, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea This large incised comb is typical of the bamboo combs of the Huon Gulf area. This parti...

This handcrafted tribal trophy skull replica from Irian Jaya, Papua New Guinea, is a striking piece of ethnic decor that reflects the ancestral warrior traditions of the Papuan tribes. Made from sculpted resin and adorned with natural feathers, shells, seeds, resin, and beeswax, it authentically reproduces the ceremonial skulls once displayed as symbols of strength and honor. Each piece is hand-assembled using traditional techniques, with intricate details that evoke both mysticism and cultural depth. The crown of natural feathers, the central shell in the nasal cavity, and the eye sockets filled with organic materials reflect historic embalming rituals. This tribal skull...

A large digging stick used for the ceremony of planting the first yams of the season circa first half of the 20th century, purportedly from the ex-collection of the Children's Museum...

Papua New Guinea standing male figure carved hardwood fragment, possibly from canoe? Back broken away and then cut and smoothed (probably by original baser) Based on period block of...

A Papua New Guinea carved-wood Lumi shield from the mid-20th century. This vintage war shield from the West Sepik region, the northwestern most province of...

A vintage carved wood crocodile head boat prow from Papua New Guinea. This mid-20th century Papua New Guinean boat prow has been carved out of wood and featu...

A yam ancestor TOTEM pole from the mid-Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea. Carved out of a solid wood by the Abelam people, who cultivated yams as their main crop, the pole featu...

A pair of carved wood catfish head boat prows from Papua New Guinea. This pair of mid-20th century Papua New Guinean boat prows has been carved out of wood and features the head of a...

A pair of Papua New Guinea Mendi wooden war shields on custom stands from the mid-20th century. This pair of war shields originate from the Mendi region, within the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. These oceanic war shields were not only created for protecting oneself for tribal warfare, but also in ancestral and ritual worship. They are adorn in various motifs, coloring and symbolism, intended to protect the carrier from magic and bring fear to the opponent. The shields are displayed upright on a custom black iron Stand, with the tallest of the set standing at a height of over 4.5 ft tall. This pair of Papua New Guinea shields...

A collection of three carved wood crocodile head boat prows from Papua New Guinea. These mid-20th century Papua New Guinean boat prows have been carved ...

Nice composition in Dense Bunukwa rainforest hardwood, inlaid shell and lime. Carved wooden pig, standing, tail straight and protrudes backwards with rows of carved zig zag...

A pair of Papua New Guinea yam festival masks from the mid 20th century. These vintage ceremonial masks, also referred to as a baba mask, originate from the Abelam people, along the ...