EHARO HEADDRESS
PA83
PA83
Culture, Origin: Elema peoples, Papuan Gulf, Southeast Papua New Guinea.
Material: barkcloth, rattan
Dimensions: 90cm wide
Provenance: Archbishop Karl Hesse, PNG; Private collection, UK.
Literature/Notes: The Elema people of the Papuan Gulf in southeast New Guinea formerly practiced an elaborate cycle of masked rituals. While some mask types were sacred, others, such as this eharo mask, were created primarily for amusement. To the Elema eharo were "maea morava eharu" ("things of gladness"), danced as a prelude to more sacred rituals. Eharo represent supernatural beings as well as humorous figures, such as lecherous old men. They were made and worn by young men from neighbouring villages at the request of the village hosting the ceremony. As they entered the host village, the women pelted them with shredded coconut to neutralize their seductive powers. Now harmless, the eharo danced surrounded by large groups of women to the amusement of the assembled crowd. Compare with similar Eharo headdress formerly in the Elizabeth Pryce collection, sold Sothebys Paris 10 Oct 2018.
Price: POA
Material: barkcloth, rattan
Dimensions: 90cm wide
Provenance: Archbishop Karl Hesse, PNG; Private collection, UK.
Literature/Notes: The Elema people of the Papuan Gulf in southeast New Guinea formerly practiced an elaborate cycle of masked rituals. While some mask types were sacred, others, such as this eharo mask, were created primarily for amusement. To the Elema eharo were "maea morava eharu" ("things of gladness"), danced as a prelude to more sacred rituals. Eharo represent supernatural beings as well as humorous figures, such as lecherous old men. They were made and worn by young men from neighbouring villages at the request of the village hosting the ceremony. As they entered the host village, the women pelted them with shredded coconut to neutralize their seductive powers. Now harmless, the eharo danced surrounded by large groups of women to the amusement of the assembled crowd. Compare with similar Eharo headdress formerly in the Elizabeth Pryce collection, sold Sothebys Paris 10 Oct 2018.
Price: POA
FEAST BOWL
PA55
PA55
Culture, Origin: Tami Island, Huon Gulf, Morobe Povince, Papua New Guinea.
Material: wood, lime
Dimensions: 88.5 x 37cm
Provenance: Carlisle, UK
Literature/Notes: Pointed oval food bowls of all sizes are traded from Tami to the coastal areas to the west and north and are part of the Vitiaz Strait Trade System, which includes communities in the Markham Valley, New Britain, Siassi Island, Umboi Island, undertaking long canoe trips with a variety of trade goods, from obsidian and red ochre to pigs and clay pots. Many bowls can be found in the market at around 45-55cm long, whilst this is the largest type used in communal feasts at 88.5cm (almost 35in.) long. Decorated with incised and raised motifs of snakes and fish, highlighted with lime.
Price: POA
Material: wood, lime
Dimensions: 88.5 x 37cm
Provenance: Carlisle, UK
Literature/Notes: Pointed oval food bowls of all sizes are traded from Tami to the coastal areas to the west and north and are part of the Vitiaz Strait Trade System, which includes communities in the Markham Valley, New Britain, Siassi Island, Umboi Island, undertaking long canoe trips with a variety of trade goods, from obsidian and red ochre to pigs and clay pots. Many bowls can be found in the market at around 45-55cm long, whilst this is the largest type used in communal feasts at 88.5cm (almost 35in.) long. Decorated with incised and raised motifs of snakes and fish, highlighted with lime.
Price: POA
HEADREST
Culture, Origin: Arapesh, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
Material: wood
Dimensions: 50cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Literature/Notes: Sculpture from the northwestern coast of Papua New Guinea, north of the Torricelli Mountains and around Sissano Lagoon are conceived with angular or pointed features as in this rare headrest with carved human head terminals. In common with other headrests from the coastal and middle Sepik region, this would have been supported on bowed bamboo legs. Most unusual is the dramatic V-shaped neck bracket on this headrest. The underside is carved with motifs and is serrated like a crocodile's back, and is applied with red ochre to further enhance its appearance.
Price: POA
Material: wood
Dimensions: 50cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Literature/Notes: Sculpture from the northwestern coast of Papua New Guinea, north of the Torricelli Mountains and around Sissano Lagoon are conceived with angular or pointed features as in this rare headrest with carved human head terminals. In common with other headrests from the coastal and middle Sepik region, this would have been supported on bowed bamboo legs. Most unusual is the dramatic V-shaped neck bracket on this headrest. The underside is carved with motifs and is serrated like a crocodile's back, and is applied with red ochre to further enhance its appearance.
Price: POA
Culture, Origin: Ndende, Santa Cruz
Material: tortoiseshell, glass
Dimensions: 9.5 x 3.5cm
Provenance: Private Collection
Notes/Literature: Pairs of ear ornaments were worn by both men and women, and smaller versions by boys and girls. Some are carved with leaping stylised dolphins, others like this would have suspended bunches of tortoiseshell rings. Cf. Gerd Koch, Materielle Kultur Der Santa Cruz-Inseln, 1971, p. 124, ill. 104a.
Price: £650
Material: tortoiseshell, glass
Dimensions: 9.5 x 3.5cm
Provenance: Private Collection
Notes/Literature: Pairs of ear ornaments were worn by both men and women, and smaller versions by boys and girls. Some are carved with leaping stylised dolphins, others like this would have suspended bunches of tortoiseshell rings. Cf. Gerd Koch, Materielle Kultur Der Santa Cruz-Inseln, 1971, p. 124, ill. 104a.
Price: £650
DRUM, kundu
Culture, Origin: Lower Sepik, Papua New Guinea.
Material: wood, goanna skin.
Dimensions: 96 x 17 x 18cm
Provenance: Count Werner D. Schack (1922-2004), Schackenborg Castle, Denmark.
Notes/Literature: Hour glass shaped drums are found in various forms throughout New Guinea, and particularly in the Sepik. This particular drum is unusual with regard to the pair of conical ornaments (breasts?) in the waist, between the loop handle and the openwork flange. The flaring ends are incised with curvilinear motifs characteristic of Lower Sepik decoration in general. Cf. Heinz Kelm, Kunst Vom Sepik III, 1968, figs 281-351 for numerous examples of palm spathe paintings with similar decoration
Price: £450
Material: wood, goanna skin.
Dimensions: 96 x 17 x 18cm
Provenance: Count Werner D. Schack (1922-2004), Schackenborg Castle, Denmark.
Notes/Literature: Hour glass shaped drums are found in various forms throughout New Guinea, and particularly in the Sepik. This particular drum is unusual with regard to the pair of conical ornaments (breasts?) in the waist, between the loop handle and the openwork flange. The flaring ends are incised with curvilinear motifs characteristic of Lower Sepik decoration in general. Cf. Heinz Kelm, Kunst Vom Sepik III, 1968, figs 281-351 for numerous examples of palm spathe paintings with similar decoration
Price: £450
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COMB
PA3
PA3
Culture, Origin: Southest Solomon Islands
Material: wood, shell, resin
Dimensions: 23cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Literature: Combs are an important aspect of headdress across the world. As sculpture, they are signifiers of ethnicity, class, battle prowess, marriage status, and other social and religious cues. Great care is taken in their creation. Cf. Anna Edmundson & Chris Boylan, Adorned, 1999, p.68, pl. 55 for two near identical combs dated 1901-1906 in the Macleay Museum, Sydney.
Price: £650
Material: wood, shell, resin
Dimensions: 23cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Literature: Combs are an important aspect of headdress across the world. As sculpture, they are signifiers of ethnicity, class, battle prowess, marriage status, and other social and religious cues. Great care is taken in their creation. Cf. Anna Edmundson & Chris Boylan, Adorned, 1999, p.68, pl. 55 for two near identical combs dated 1901-1906 in the Macleay Museum, Sydney.
Price: £650
Culture, Origin: San Cristobal, Solomon Islands
Material: shell
Dimensions: 6.5cm
Provenance: William Kearney, Dublin. Inscribed and dated 'San Cristoval 1850'
Literature: Deborah Waite & Kevin Conru, Solomon Islands Art, p. 107, ill. 56 for later example from Malaita. This one is engraved with frigate bird and fish totems which are common motifs found in San Cristobal material culture.
Price: £650
Material: shell
Dimensions: 6.5cm
Provenance: William Kearney, Dublin. Inscribed and dated 'San Cristoval 1850'
Literature: Deborah Waite & Kevin Conru, Solomon Islands Art, p. 107, ill. 56 for later example from Malaita. This one is engraved with frigate bird and fish totems which are common motifs found in San Cristobal material culture.
Price: £650
DAGGER
Culture, Origin: May River, Upper Sepik, Papua New Guinea
Material: cassowary bone
Dimensions: 33cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Literature/Notes: Daggers of the May River are particularly rare. They are distinguished by their abstract panel designs similar to shield designs, as well as the carved condyle.
Price: £1650
Material: cassowary bone
Dimensions: 33cm
Provenance: Private Collection, UK
Literature/Notes: Daggers of the May River are particularly rare. They are distinguished by their abstract panel designs similar to shield designs, as well as the carved condyle.
Price: £1650
LIME CONTAINER
Culture, Origin: Massim, East Papua New Guinea
Material: gourd, orchid root, wood
Dimensions: 6cm D.
Provenance: Private Collection, UK.
Price: £95
Material: gourd, orchid root, wood
Dimensions: 6cm D.
Provenance: Private Collection, UK.
Price: £95
PADDLE
Culture, Origin: Tanahmerah Bay, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province, Indonesia.
Material: wood
Dimensions: 197.5cm
Literature/Notes: Paddles from Tanahmerah Bay resemble those from Lake Sentani located to the southeast, but the decoration is more asymmetric and stylised.
Price: £250
Material: wood
Dimensions: 197.5cm
Literature/Notes: Paddles from Tanahmerah Bay resemble those from Lake Sentani located to the southeast, but the decoration is more asymmetric and stylised.
Price: £250
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