Archives: Art For Sale

Art For Sale

A Superb Old New Guinea Food Bowl Eastern Highlands Province Papua New Guinea

A Superb Old New Guinea Food Bowl from the Eastern Highlands Province Papua New Guinea

This beautiful form of Food Bowl called Jompa was collected in Korofeigu Village in the Bena Bena area in the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea in 1961 by the anthropologist Lewis Langness.

The shape of the bowl is a sculptural form of great beauty, both the front & back views are as good as the other. The bowl has a deep black shiny patina from decades of use and storage in a smokey traditional house environment.

Provenance: Collected in 1961 by the anthropologist Lewis Langness

The John & Marcia Friede / Jolika Collection: Published in  ” New Guinea Highlands: Art from the Jolika Collection: 2017 Page 270 SEE PHOTOS ABOVE

The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic Art

See my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY  showing the Museums and Art Galleries Exhibitions that I provided artworks for over the past 40 years. There is the link to the article about my artworks published in the prestigious Louvre Magazine in 1996

I have artwork for Museums and 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 specializes in New Guinea and Oceanic Art.  Sydney is very close to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbors.

INQUIRE HERE

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.

For all inquiries, please contact us 

 

A Superb Old Philippines Bulul Figure Hapao-Hungduan Region Luzon Island, Philippines

A Superb Old Philippines Bulul Figure Hapao-Hungduan Region Luzon Island, Philippines

This fine old Bulul Figure was sensitively carved by a master carver, depicting a standing female figure with a child holding onto her back.  Carved from a single piece of traditional Nara Wood the figure has an excellent patina consistent with significant age and appropriate ritual use. Regular ceremonies presided over by the village priest were held throughout each stage of the rice production process, leading to regular handling and offerings being made to the statues.

In the book ” Philippines; an Archipelago of Exchange ” the section on Bulul Sculptures is described with the words “serene & austere, powerful and quiet “.

Such figures were carved by the Ifugao as protective figures to be installed in their rice fields and rice granaries to protect the rice crop and harvest from evil spirits. The figures are highly stylised representations of ancestor-associated Rice Gods and were believed to attract the presence and thus power of ancestral rice god spirits.

Bululs were handed down to the first child of a family, usually, they were carved as pairs, one male and one female, but often the two become separated when sold to local or European art collectors.

This Bulul has an important provenance: Acquired from William Beyer in Manila in 1975. William Beyer was the son of Henry Otley Beyer (1883–1966) born in Edgewood, Iowa, and was a graduate of Denver University, where he studied chemistry. In 1905 he arrived in the Philippines and, while working as a teacher, studied the Ifugaos of the Banaue Valley of northern Luzon. In 1908–09 he carried out research in Asia, North Africa, and Europe and undertook graduate studies in anthropology at Harvard University. In 1909 he returned to the Philippines and was appointed ethnologist in the Bureau of Science. He carried out fieldwork among the Ifugaos, Igorots, Apayaos, Kalingas, and other peoples. In 1914 he joined the staff of the University of the Philippines and set up the Department of Anthropology. He became a Professor of Anthropology in 1924 and held the position until his retirement in 1954. He continued to live in the Philippines until his death when his son took over his legacy of collecting & documenting Philippine indigenous art.

Provenance: Acquired from William Beyer in Manila in 1975. The Hugh Gallagher Collection Australia and The Todd Barlin Collection  Oceanic & Asian Art

See my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY  showing the Museums and Art Galleries Exhibitions that I provided artworks for over the past 40 years. There is the link to the article about my artworks published in the prestigious Louvre Magazine in 1996

I have artwork for Museums and 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 specializes in New Guinea and Oceanic Art.  Sydney is very close to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbors.

INQUIRE HERE

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.

For all inquiries, please contact us 

 

A Fine Old Japanese Jizō Bosatsu Buddha of Compassion Edo Period 19th Century Japan

A Fine Old Japanese Jizō Bosatsu Buddha of Compassion from the Edo Period 19th Century Japan

Jizō Bosatsu is an enlightened being who, out of compassion, has chosen to lead others along the Buddhist path. In Japan, he is best known for protecting children and travellers. Jizō’s compassionate presence illuminates the righteous way, and he saves from harm those who call out to him.

Bodhisattvas (Japanese: bosatsu) are Mahayana Buddhist deities who have achieved all of the spiritual requirements necessary for leaving the cycle of rebirth and attaining the state of nirvana, but who, out of compassion for others, vow to remain within the six realms of existence to aid other aspirants along the path to liberation. Each bodhisattva makes a unique set of vows; bodhisattvas’ attributes and the ways in which they assist others reflect those vows.

The bodhisattva Jizō made the specific vow not to enter into nirvana until all beings have been rescued from suffering.

Jizō became known in Japan in the eighth century, with the introduction of esoteric Buddhism from China, but worship of him became widespread within the context of Pure Land Buddhist devotional practices in the Heian period (794–1185).

Jizō is unusual among bodhisattvas for the manner in which he is normally represented. Bodhisattvas are generally clothed in finery and adorned with jewels; a symbolic representation of their superior qualities based upon the actual garb of early Indian royalty. In contrast, Jizō in his most common form is a monk with a shaven head, he is clad in a simple monk’s robe, and in this example, both arms are missing but it does not take away from the great beauty of the figure, the face is glowing. This artwork was made by a very skilled and confident artist in the 19th Century.   Carved from medium-density wood in two pieces; the head is a separate piece of wood & skilfully socketed into the body as clearly seen in the back-view photo.  There are remnants of lacquer & gilding on the robes and his face.

The figure has brought great joy to my home & I never get tired of looking at his peaceful face.

Provenance:  The Todd Barlin Collection of Buddhist & Japanese Art

INQUIRE HERE

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.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

 

A Fine Old Micronesian Shark Teeth Knife From the Gilbert Islands Republic of Kiribati Micronesia

A Fine Old Micronesian Shark Teeth Knife From the Gilbert Islands Republic of Kiribati Micronesia Dating from the 19th Century 

This fine old Sharks Teeth Sword is of the most elegant curved form, the razor-sharp teeth were set in grooves carved into the wood and the teeth were further stabilized with fibre cord that was lashed through each pierced tooth.

This type of knife was just one type of weapon that was made & used by the warriors as part of ‘ceremonial warfare’ performances, the maintenance of honour, and the settling of disputes in ritual dueling. It wasn’t just the knives that were used in these contexts, however, as they only formed a small part of a warrior’s combat ensemble. A warrior wore a complete set of armour, made from thickly woven coconut fibre and a belt of stingray skin, and a helmet created from a hollowed-out and dried puffer fish. See the historical photo of these warriors dressed for battle

As with many Micronesian and Polynesian cultures, sharks played an important cultural role for the people, sharks are involved in the origin mythology of the islands and they played a major part in cult initiation ceremonies. Using part of the great creatures in a weapon would imbue it with some of the shark’s strength.

Over the past 40 years, I have owned a few of these Shark Teeth Weapons but this was always my favorited due to the elegant form and obvious age patina. It is missing a couple of teeth but it does not detract from the beauty of its sculptural form.

Provenance: The BL Hornshaw (1878-1937) Collection of Oceanic Art & The Todd Barlin Collection of 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 in1996 (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.

INQUIRE HERE

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.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

A Fine Old New Guinea Yam Digging Stick Finial Abelam People East Sepik Province Papua New Guinea

A Fine Old New Guinea Yam Digging Stick Finial from the Abelam People Prince in the Alexander Mountains in the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea

This finely carved Yam Digging Stick called Gisa is in the form of a male ancestor figure that is surmounted by two totemic birds,  the whole carving has remnants of red ochre painting & old patina from long use & handling

Yam digging Sticks like this one were objects of great importance for growing large ceremonial yams, the Ancestral Figure looks down on the man while he is working in his garden making visible their presence in daily life.

One of the major focuses of ceremonial life among the Abelam people of northeast New Guinea is the competitive growth and exchange of long yams. The Abelam cultivate two distinct categories of yams—a small variety used as ordinary food and long yams, massive tubers that can be as much as twelve feet long. A man’s social status is determined largely by his success in growing long yams. Each man has a permanent exchange partner to whom he ceremonially presents his largest yams following the annual harvest, later receiving those of his rival in return. Men who are consistently able to give their partners longer yams than they receive gain great prestige. Lavishly adorned for the presentation ceremony, the finest long yams are essentially transformed into human images, decorated in the manner of men in full ceremonial regalia.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic Papua New Guinea 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 in1996 (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.

INQUIRE HERE

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.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

A Fine Old New Guinea Spear Thrower Middle Sepik River Area East Sepik Province Papua New Guinea

A Fine Old Spear Thrower from the Middle Sepik River Area in East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea

This fine old Spear Thrower is made from a long piece of hollow bamboo with an attached carved wood crocodile figure in the old Sepik style dating from the late 19th Century.  Often the attached wood figures on Spear Throwers survive long after the bamboo shafts are gone and families save them as memories of their grandparents or the bamboo-section is remade to attach the old spear thrower ornament.

These Spear Throwers & their attached ornaments have always been of great interest to me and I have several of just the old wood ornaments in the forms of totemic Birds, Crocodiles & abstract faces.

Provenance: Collected by Albert Gross in the Sepik River area in the 1930s. The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic Papua New Guinea 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 in1996 (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.

INQUIRE HERE

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.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

A Fine Old New Guinea Abelam Wood Head Prince Alexander Mountains East Sepik Province Papua New Guinea

A Fine Old New Guinea Abelam Wood Head from the Prince Alexander Mountains Area in the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea

This finely carved and painted wood head called Idap was used in Yam Harvest ceremonies that are at the heart of the Abelam Culture.

Lavishly adorned for the presentation ceremony, the finest long yams are essentially transformed into human images, decorated in the manner of men in full ceremonial regalia. The “heads” of the enormous tubers are adorned with specially made yam masks such as this one, which is made exclusively for yams and is never worn by humans.

The Abelam are well known for their large and beautiful Ceremonial Houses where sacred artworks are kept & the initiation of young men takes place.

One of the major focuses of ceremonial life among the Abelam people of northeast New Guinea is the competitive growth and exchange of long yams. The Abelam cultivate two distinct categories of yams—a small variety used as ordinary food and long yams, massive tubers that can be as much as twelve feet long. A man’s social status is determined largely by his success in growing long yams. Each man has a permanent exchange partner to whom he ceremonially presents his largest yams following the annual harvest, later receiving those of his rival in return. Men who are consistently able to give their partners longer yams than they receive gain great prestige.

Provenance:  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 in1996 (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.

INQUIRE HERE

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.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

A Fine Old New Guinea Ancestor Figure Middle Sepik River East Sepik Province Papua New Guinea

A Fine Old New Guinea Janus Ancestor Figure Middle Sepik River Area East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea

This beautiful old Janus Ancestor Figure is from the Middle Sepik River area in the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea.  Carved in the form of male and female Ancestors standing back to back.  In the Sepik, there are traditional stories about pairs of siblings and their journeys in ancient times.

The villages of the Middle Sepik River region are divided into a number of clans, each of which is associated with specific ancestors and totemic animal species. These ancestral and totemic beings are represented by wooden figures kept in the men’s ceremonial houses. Wooden figures represent a category of powerful ancestral beings called waken and each figure owned by a specific clan is named for an important clan ancestor.

Ancestor figures were an important part of a community’s spiritual well-being, they offered protection from malevolent forces and help to ensure fertility for gardens growing large yams and taro as food sources.

Provenance: This figure was collected 80 years ago during WW2.   The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic Art Papua New Guinea 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 in1996 (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 specializes 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 neighbors.

INQUIRE HERE

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.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

A Superb Old New Guinea Abelam Wood Head Prince Alexander Mountains East Sepik Province Papua New Guinea

A Superb Old New Guinea Abelam Wood Head from the Prince Alexander Mountains Area in the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea

Provenance: The Stan Gordon Moriarty Collection Sydney (1906 -1978) as seen in the old photo in his house above 

This finely carved and painted wood head called Idap was used in Yam Harvest ceremonies that are at the heart of the Abelam Culture.

The Abelam are well known for their large and beautiful Ceremonial Houses where sacred artworks are kept & the initiation of young men takes place.

For the Abelam the importance lies in the bright polychrome paints applied to their surfaces, the paint is a magical substance that endows the figures with supernatural power and beauty.

One of the major focuses of ceremonial life among the Abelam people of northeast New Guinea is the competitive growth and exchange of long yams. The Abelam cultivate two distinct categories of yams—a small variety used as ordinary food and long yams, massive tubers that can be as much as twelve feet long. A man’s social status is determined largely by his success in growing long yams. Each man has a permanent exchange partner to whom he ceremonially presents his largest yams following the annual harvest, later receiving those of his rival in return.

Men who are consistently able to give their partners longer yams than they receive gain great prestige. Lavishly adorned for the presentation ceremony, the finest long yams are essentially transformed into human images, decorated in the manner of men in full ceremonial regalia. The “heads” of the enormous tubers are adorned with specially made yam masks such as this one, which is made exclusively for yams and is never worn by humans.

Provenance: The Stan Gordon Moriarty Collection Sydney (1906 -1978)   Photo above of in his house 1960s just below the Yuat River Mundugamor Mask (now in the collection of The Musee du Quai Branly Paris France)

The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic Papua New Guinea Art

See my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY  showing the Museums and Art Galleries Exhibitions that I provided artworks for over the past 40 years. There is the link to the article about my artworks published in the prestigious Louvre Magazine in 1996

I have artwork for Museums and 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 specializes in New Guinea and Oceanic Art.  Sydney is very close to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbors.

INQUIRE HERE

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.

For all inquiries, please contact us 

 

A Superb Maori Ceremonial Adze by the Maori Master Carver John Collins New Zealand

A Superb Maori Ceremonial Adze attributed to the Maori Master carver John Collins Circa 1990 New Zealand 

A toki poutangata is a Ceremonial Adze worked from pounamu or greenstone that is usually lashed to a finely carved handle. Almost invariably carried by a person of mana, someone of high rank and with great leadership qualities, they were often adorned with the feathers of significant birds. Such birds included the kaka, kahu, and the kererū. Strips of dog hair were also added. Perhaps the nearest equivalent in European culture is the sceptre, used by kings as a symbol of rank and power and bearing the spiritual symbolism of the Christian cross.

Toki poutangata were used on ceremonial occasions, such as the felling of a great tree for a significant waka (canoe) or for the ridgepole of a whare nui or meeting house. The first chips cut from the tree were taken by the tohunga to a special place where karakia of thanksgiving were recited to the god of the forest, Tanemahuta in acknowledgement of the sacrifice of his offspring. The chips might also be returned ceremonially to the forest to nurture new growth.

It is believed that the toki poutangata was originally used for the ceremonial execution of captives. Upon the death of its owner, the special handle was buried with them while the pounamu blade remained with the tribe. Once it had been decided who would succeed the chief, another handle was fashioned and lashed to the adze.

H D Skinner recorded the work of Māori ethnologist Te Rangi Hiroa on the function of the toki poutangata. Te Rangi Hiroa maintained that this implement was never intended for the adzing of wood by craftsmen. “It formed an exclusive article in the property of a chiefly family, to be borne on ceremonial occasions, to accompany the gestures of the family orator, and to lie in state on the breast of the chiefly dead.” Buck told me that he knew of only one occasion on which a toki poutangata had been used actively, namely by Te Wherowhero when designating Te Atiawa captives to the oven after the fall of Pukerangiora pa. [an attack by Waikato on a Taranaki pa].

‘He suggested that the name of the artefact might be due to this specific function. He later withdrew this and suggested that the term toki poutangata meant “the adze that establishes man in authority”

With this in mind, the symbols of rank between Māori and European culture that held sway at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi – the toki poutangata and the sceptre – are indeed strongly similar. Another mark of authority for the British were the seals of the realm.

References: Skinner, H D. (1974). Comparatively speaking: Studies in Pacific Material Culture

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic Art

See my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY  showing the Museums and Art Galleries Exhibitions that I provided artworks for over the past 40 years. There is the link to the article about my artworks published in the prestigious Louvre Magazine in 1996

I have artwork for Museums and 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 specializes in New Guinea and Oceanic Art.  Sydney is very close to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbors.

INQUIRE HERE

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.

For all inquiries, please contact us 

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