A Fine Old New Guinea Canoe Splash Board Huon Gulf Area Morobe Province Papua New Guinea

A Fine Old New Guinea Canoe Splash Board Huon Gulf Area Morobe Province Papua New Guinea. Dating from the early 20th Century

This old and well-used Canoe Splash Board is from either Tami or Siassi Islands in Huon Gulf Area Morobe Province of Papua New Guinea. Finely carved from a single piece of hardwood.  Literally made to stop waves splashing into the front of a large ocean-going outrigger canoe.  It was also like a car hood ornament in that it showed where you were from & what clan you belong to by the designs used on the canoe splashboard.  The finial is beautifully carved with stylized birds and other clan designs, the front of the splash board has a cross and triangular designs running horizontally. There are 7 worn holes where the splash board was securely attached to the canoe. The back of this splash board also has incised designs.  You can see by the photo above of a Tami Island Canoe where the Splash Board fit.

Provenance: Field Collected by famous Australian collector Peter Hallinan (1938-2015 )

The Todd Barlin Collection of New Guinea Oceanic Art 

I first went to Papua New Guinea in 1985 for an adventure & what I found was that I really enjoyed being with the people of New Guinea, over the next 38 years I spent extensive time spent collecting and documenting traditional art & ceremonies in remote areas of Papua New Guinea & West Papua, The Solomon Islands & Vanuatu & the other Pacific Islands countries. During these travels, I made major collections of New Guinea & Oceanic Art for major Museums and Public Art Galleries

I was honoured by being in the prestigious Louvre Museum Magazine for the collections I made for The Museum of African & Oceanic Art Paris in 1996 (now the Musee Quai Branly) for the exhibition “Asmat et Mimika d’ Irian Jaya April 1996 At THE MUSEE NATIONAL des ARTS D’AFRIQUE et d’ OCEANIE, Paris

See all of the links & photos in my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY and there is the link to the article in the prestigious Louvre Magazine 1996

I have artwork for Museums & Art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery.  I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com  where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.

My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specialises in New Guinea & Oceanic Art. Sydney is just a couple hours’ flight to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbours.

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If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

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