Conus Shell Necklace

Well used conus shell necklace with evidence of use in ceremonies, possibly black magic. Within the larger shells are small particles that have been added and fixed with hardened mud.

Sepik Female Ancestral Figure
This ancestral female spirit figure has a unique composition with bulging thighs and small circular protruding breasts. The piece possesses a nice patina throughout.

Male Abelam Ancestor Figure

A hard wood male ancestor figure from the Maprik region, East Sepik. This figure has wonderful simplistic form, with stylized facial features and bulging thighs. A nice patina throughout is evident.

Wosera Cassowary Bone Dagger

A fine old Wosera cassowary bone dagger, carved from the femur bone of the cassowary bird. With detailed motif on the front section of the piece this dagger is a fine example of a tool used by the people in hunting and warfare.

Boiken Food Plate

A fine small Boiken food plate with a classical circular stylized motif in the center. This plate has a fantastic aged black and glossy patina and evidence of ongoing use.

Abelam Sepik Head Rest

Constructed of wood, with bound cane leg supports, the piece has detailed sculpted ancestor heads at both terminals and carved motif on the under section. Smooth glossy patina from ongoing use throughout.

Bridal Headdress

This is a fine latmul headdress, a most treasured heirloom of a Sepik woman's wedding. Small shells are attached to woven bush twine. This headdress displays various larger shells and fine circular pieces of turtle carapace attached to both sides.

Barak Mask

The Barak mask is from the Turubu region, west Sepik. This mask represents the utmost power in a village, responsible for success in warr. The mask is predominately black with traces of red pigment. Piercings for attachments are in both ears.

Kubalia Dance Mask

Large stone carved Kubalia Dance Mask with piercings through the ears, and outer rim for attachments. Intricate design on the forehead.

Abelam Yam Mask

This sweet tightly woven Abelam Yam mask from the Wosera region has the classic headdress stucture with protruding facial features.The piece has remnants of natural pigments throughout.

 Ramu River Ancestral Figure

A well preserved Ramu River Ancestral Figure with minimalist stylized features. With concave facial structure, conjoined arms, and basic detailing, this piece has encrusting throughout and is a beautiful example of an abstract ancestral figure.

Abelam Kina Ring

Large Kina Rings are used in traditional ceremonial payments throughout the Sepik region. This well used piece has been adorned with colored twine, shells and fiber.

Yangoru Ancestral Figure

This finely carved figure is from the Yangoru region in Papua New Guinea. The piece has the features of a classical ancestral figure with circular arms and coffee-been eyes. There is a beautiful patina throughout and evidence of age 1930’s.

Turubu Stone Carved Mosquito Mask

This stone carved “Mosquito” mask is not as commonly seen as the classical Barak mask. From the Turubu region, this piece is raw in form yet displays artistic characteristics with its large extended pointed nose and protruding circular eyes. With nice remains of pigments and good solid age and use, this mask is a unique find.

Boiken Figure

This unique piece features heavy wood with a thick layer of black paint, encrusted in some areas. Inserted within the nose is a wooden spike and twine has been threaded through the ears. The piece also features a second face upon the crown. Location: Papua New Guinea, Sepik River region.

Boiken Dance Mask

This old hard wood Boiken Dance Mask, a variation of the Brag Mask, with the nose carved curving down instead of straight out, has been painted a number of times for ceremonial use with red, blackand white  earth pigments. Piercings through the outer rim for attachments and a patina from on going use are evident.

San Francisco Tribal's 8th Annual Art Show 2nd - 4th November 2012.

  Museums Exhibiting Oceanic and Tribal Art

Australia

National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

National Gallery of Australia

South Australian Museum

Western Australian Museum

Canada

Musee de la Civilisation, Quebec

 

France

Museums in France

Musee Dapper Paris

Musee du Quai Branly Paris

Germany

Munich State Museum of Ethnology

Museums in Germany

New Zealand

Auckland Museum, New Zealand

Switzerland

Museum der Kulturen, Basel

Musee d'Ethnographie de Geneve

United Kingdom

British Museum

USA

American Museum of Asmat Art

Bowers Museum

DeYoung Museum - Collections

Denver Art Museum

Fowler Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art

North Carolina Museum of Art

Peabody Museum  

Abelam Yam Mask

This very unique tightly woven yam mask has its own individual distinct look. Hollow within, the mask has simple features adorned with a central head piece. There is a glossy patina throughout.

Abelam Yam Mask

This old yam mask with layers of original bold pigments includes carved balsa bird like figures woven into the central piece. This piece has been used in ceremonies over time with many layers of pigment applied.

To view Oceanic Art and Tribal Art Events Calendar

Ramu River Figure

This classic Ramu River figure, possibly from a canoe paddle, has the familiar structured nose and conical headdress of a Ramu figure. The piece has piercings in both the ears and nose and remnants of red and blue pigment remain. Small shells are used as representation of the eyes and mouth.

We would like to thank PhotographyByBianka for her wonderful photos on Ewa's Papua New Guinea Artifacts.

Kwoma Butterfly Nose Figure

A beautifully carved Kwoma figure presents an abstract form often unseen.
The Kwoma are a people of northwestern New Guinea who live in the Peilungua mountains north of the Sepik River. They are known for their representation of mythical creatures throughout their artwork. 

Making his way to his new home in Switzerland.

 

Throughout a series of caves and rock shelters along the upper reaches of the Karawari, the Ewa people kept a ancient ancestral woodcarvings. Created and used by Ewa men during their lifetimes, the carvings were kept after their owner's deaths. Preserved in the caves for generations, the age of a Karawari carving can be anywhere between 200 and 400 years old, making them the oldest surviving examples of wood sculptures from the Sepik region of Papua New Guinea.

View more details on the above Cave Sculpture from the Karawari, which is currently on display at Ewa Oceanic Art Gallery.

Papua New Guinea Sepik Art Figures from Abelam, Korowari, Kwoma, Ramu River

Abelam Yam Masks from Papua New Guinea Sepik River Region.

Recent arrive at Ubud's Ewa Oceanic Art Gallery.

Cassowary Bone Dagger     This Abelam cassowary bone dagger is decorated with a classical ancestral carving. Bird like heads appear on both sides of the bones joint. Remants of red pigment remains. Piercings for attachments are evident. Glossy patina from use throughout.

For further details please visit Ewa's Oceanic Art Gallery website for more details. 

Recent arrive at Ubud's Ewa Oceanic Art Gallery.

Kwoma Butterfly Nose Figure   This mythical butterfly nose figure is beautifully carved with skeletal forms running from the upper head section. The figure has rich encrusted patina throughout.
For further details please visit Ewa's Oceanic Art Gallery website for more details.

 Coastal Sepik Ancestral Mask

This mask is decorated throughout with red trade paint. Worn through use and time the piece still maintains its artistic form. Piercings along the rim and ears for ceremonial attachments.



Making his way to his new home in Germany.
     

New arrival  during the week at Ubud Ewa's Oceanic Art Gallery.

Kina Shell Pectoral Adornment    A large crescent shaped section of shell on gold-lipped pearl shell, attached with a more recently added twine thread. Decorated with red pigments. Used as an adornment at ceremonies, and as currency in bride price exchanges.

For further details visit, our Oceanic Sepik Art Gallery

This Kwoma Butterfly Nose mask from the Sepik region is on its way to Hong Kong.

This very rare Kwoma Butterfuly Nose mask is a beautifully carved hardwood piece.

The protruding spiked nose and inset eyes show the artistic ability of the carver.