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Art For Sale

A Fine Old New Guinea Gope Spirit Board Papuan Gulf Area Papua New Guinea

A Fine Old New Guinea Gope Spirit Board Wapo Creek Area Papuan Gulf Papua New Guinea

This finely carved old Gope Board is from the Era People Wapo Creek Area in the Papuan Gulf on the South Coast of Papua New Guinea.  Gope also called “Spirit Boards ” are the embodiment of powerful spirits that represent each clan.  No two Gope boards are the same, sometimes they are made from the sides of old canoes which provide a ready-made flat shape to carve the Gope boards from.

This Gope board is from the same village and time as one published in the superb book on the subject “Embodied Spirits: Gope Boards from the Papuan Gulf 2015 edited by Virginia Lee Webb on page 219.  This highly regarded publication shows all the areas and art styles of Gope Spirit Boards.

In pre-European contact times, the Papuan Gulf people made huge ceremonial houses with peaked roofs called Ravi , this where the Gope Boards and other types of ceremonial objects were kept safe & secret from the uninitiated.  Gope boards were often kept on shrines that had boars skulls and human skulls from headhunting placed around them on racks. Gope boards are one of the most recognizable artworks from the Island of New Guinea. The Papuan Gulf people had complex ceremonial cycles that took sometimes a decade to complete.  There are many art styles in the Papuan Gulf stretching from the Elema area in the east to the Bamu area in the west, they are also neighbors of the Gogodala & Marind Anim people who live on both sides of the border that splits the island between Papua New Guinea and West Papua Indonesia.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic & Papua New Guinea Aart

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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.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

A Superb Old New Guinea Abelam Wood Head Abelam People East Sepik Papua New Guinea

A Superb Old Abelam Wood Head called Idap from the Abelam People Prince Alexander Mountains Area East Sepik Province Papua New Guinea 

This finely carved and ochre 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.

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.

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: Ex Lewis Morley Collection (1925-2013) Australian Photographic Artist of world renown.

The Todd Barlin Collection of New Guinea Art

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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.

For all inquiries, please contact us.

A Fine Old New Guinea Basket Hook Figure Ramu River Area Madang Province Papua New Guinea

A Fine Old New Guinea Basket Hook Figure Ramu River Area Madang Province Papua New Guinea

This finely carved Basket Hook Figure is from the Ramu River area of Madang Province, Papua New Guinea.  The intricately carved artwork was made by a master carver with a distinct style, it can be viewed as a different artwork on three sides. The front view shows a male ancestor figure supported by a totemic crocodile on both sides. The second photo shows another small ancestor figure with upraised arms next to a powerful face or mask and the third image shows the crocodile figure and ancestors in profile. The basket hook is carved from a single piece of hardwood and it shows  good age and use where bags of food were hung from the hooks, there is also traces of ochre

One of the things that the early 20th Century European artists loved about Oceanic Art was the New Guinea artist’s ability to use their own style and change forms from realistic to stylized and often abstracted & sometimes Cubist.

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 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.

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 Stone Wealth Axe Yangoru Boiken Area East Sepik Papua New Guinea

A Fine Old Stone Wealth Axe Yangoru Boiken Area East Sepik Papua New Guinea Dating from the late 19th – early 20th century. 

This beautiful old Ceremonial Stone Wealth Axe is from the Yangoru Boiken people who live in the remote Prince Alexander Mountain Range in the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea.

This type of Ceremonial Axe is used as a traditional form of wealth and is often used for paying a bridal dowry by the young man’s parents and family.  The top of the Axe is finely carved in the image of a totemic bird figure with incised designs & traces of ochre painting.

The stone which could be centuries old is also painted with designs.  A bridal dowry is a very important part of New Guinea people’s culture, depending on the area the dowry can be paid in Shell Ornaments, Stone Axes, Bird of Paradise Feathers, and Food.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of New Guinea Oceanic 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 Vanuatu Canoe Ornament from Vao Island Malekula Vanuatu

A Fine Old Vanuatu Canoe Ornament from Vao Island Malekula Vanuatu

This simple elegant bird form canoe ornament is from the small Island called Vao off the Northeast Coast of Malekula Island in Vanuatu. The stylized bird totem that sat at the front of the canoe was a clear sign of the person’s status in the men’s secret societies that are part of Vanuatu’s traditional culture.  Birds are important designs in traditional Vanuatu & Solomon Islands Art.

Vanuatu was once known as The New Hebrides it was a joint  British & French colony until independence in 1980 when the name was changed independent Vanuatu.  Vanuatu is an archipelago of Islands with many distinct languages and cultures.  The traditional cultures in Vanuatu have remained strong.  The ancient system of ” Grade Taking ” in the Men’ Secret Societies is still practiced.

Provenance: Ex Nicolai Michoutchkine Collection. Nicolai (1925- 2010) and his partner Aloi were well-known artists living in Port Villa for a very long time. They had an extensive oceanic collection that was toured around the world for many years.  They were old friends of mine and I bought many Oceanic Artworks from them.   

The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic 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 New Guinea Spirit Figure Upper Karawari River East Sepik Province Papua New Guinea

A Fine old New Guinea Spirit Figure Aripa from the Ewa People in the Upper Karawari River Area in the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea.

Carved from a single piece of hardwood the small face near the top of the figure with round concentric eyes the body area has incised designs, and the whole figure is highly curved which gives it a feeling of movement, the figure has a dark old patina overall.

There are numerous variations in these figures both in the full size and amulet figures reflecting the individual visions of the sculptors who created them but the carvings have a few basic types, like this fine example that consists of a thin curved figure with a face near the top, often have opposing hooks over the head and below but in this example, there is only a remnant of a hook on top of the head.  The figure is only fully viewed in profile like the much large Yipwon figures.

The Karawari River is one of the numerous tributaries of the great Sepik River, which drains into the north coast of New Guinea.

The upper Karawari River is known for a remarkable series of wood sculptures that were created and used by Ewa men during their lifetimes, the carvings were kept after their owners’ deaths. Preserved in the caves for generations, some of the carvings are between 200 and 400 years old, making them some of the oldest surviving examples of wood sculpture from New Guinea.

The Ewa practiced agriculture but they were also heavily dependent on hunting for their livelihood. The rich rain forests that surrounded them provided a variety of game, including wild pigs, tree kangaroos, and cassowaries. The one-legged male figures, called aripa, played a vital part in hunting magic. Representing individual helping spirits, each aripa served as a means by which an Ewa man could maintain contact with, and receive aid from, his helping spirit to bring him success in hunting.

The carvings from the Karawari caves first came to the attention of the wider world about fifty years ago when the Ewa, having changed or abandoned their former beliefs, began to bring the carvings out of their caves and offer them for sale to Westerners. As a result, today these remarkable works of art from the Karawari can be seen in museums and private collections throughout the world.

It comes with a high-quality custom-made stand that makes the figure appear to be floating in space.

Provenance:  The Todd Barlin Collection of New Guinea Oceanic 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 Superb Old New Guinea Stone Carved Bowl Lumi Area West Sepik Papua New Guinea

A Superb Old New Guinea Stone Carved Bowl Lumi Area West Sepik Papua New Guinea. Definitely dates from the 19th Century.

This ancient stone-carved food bowl is from the Lumi Area of the West Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea. The beautiful form with a deep oval bowl with high relief diamond design on the bottom and medial ridge going from end to end. The lugs on the side of the bowl are for hanging it up in the house when not in use.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection Of 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 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.

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 Totemic Bird Figure Kupkein Village Upper Sepik River Papua New Guinea

A Fine Old New Guinea Totemic Bird Figure from Kupkein Village Upper Sepik River Papua New Guinea. Dates from the early to mid-20th Century 

This elegant totemic bird sculpture is from the Nggala people in Kupkein Village on the Upper Sepik River Area in the East Sepik Province Papua New Guinea,

Beautifully carved this long-necked bird with outstretched wings as if it is in flight, the entire bird has deeply incised designs that are unique to the Nggala people in two villages only on the Upper Sepik River; Kupkein & Swagap. The designs are highlighted with white, yellow, and black ochre painting.  There is no apparent place for the bird to stand on its own so I am guessing that it was tied by a rope or string to the ceiling in the Men’s Cult House as many ceremonial objects are.

I have not previously seen any bird figures specifically like this but there are artworks from these villages in the book “Crocodile and Cassowary: Religious Art of The Upper Sepik River New Guinea by Douglas Newton at The Museum of Primitive Art in NY 1971 and you can see artwork s with similar designs on them on pages 46-49.

Swagap & two other small villages nearby have a common language & would share the same ceremonies.  These ceremonies are very important to the well-being of the entire community, they ensure safety from malevolent spirits and people, ensure that the crops will grow & that people’s behavior will be guided by their ancestors.

Birds in New Guinea art can be important clan totems and also anthropomorphic spirit beings that are half man; primordial bird-men and bird-women, who originally created the sacred musical instruments, consisting of bamboo flutes and slit gongs that were kept within the ceremonial houses and played central role in the ritual life of their communities.

I visited Kupkein & Swagap Villages in 1986 at that time I saw no Cult House or ceremonial objects being made or stored and when asked about ceremonial objects they said ” that was our grandparents ”

It is now on a fine custom-made stand that allows the bird to fly in space.

Provenance:  Kirby Kallas Lewis Collection Seatle 

The Todd Barlin Collection of New Guinea Oceanic 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 Superb Old New Guinea Telefomin Cult House Door West Sepik Province Papua New Guinea

A Superb Old New Guinea Telefomin Cult House Door West Sepik Province Papua New Guinea. Dating from the early 20th Century 

This beautiful old Men’s Cult House Door from the Telefomin Area in the Star Mountains in the West Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea. This is a genuinely old and well-used Cult House Door dating from the early 20th Century.

Carved from a single piece of hardwood and decorated with clan designs carved in low relief on the upper part of the door and highlighted with red, white and black ochre. These designs are similar to the ones used on war shields that are highly sought by collectors.

The field photo above shows how the Door fits onto the front of the Men’s House and provides only a small oval-shaped entry point and that is the only way in or out of the Men’s House.  Only initiated men are allowed inside where important clan ceremonial objects are kept along with their ancestor’s skulls and hunting trophies like boars skulls & war shields.

In the 1990s there were many of these on the market but none were used like this old example. This is an important door that had been used on the Men’s Cult House for decades. See the close-up image of where their feet constantly went in and out that made a very old patina.

Provenance:  The Paulian Society in Sydney in 1986, they are a catholic charity with long associations with New Guinea people & their art.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of New Guinea Oceanic 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 New Guinea Anthropomorphic Figure Papuan Gulf Area, South Coast Papua New Guinea

A Fine New Guinea Anthropomorphic Figure Papuan Gulf Area, South Coast Papua New Guinea

This amazing sculpture was made by an artist from the Bamu River Area of the Papuan Gulf on the South Coast of Papua New Guinea. Called Imunu these figures are carved from the roots of the mangrove trees where the natural form is found in the tree and only small carvings & designs are added to represent powerful spirits that dwell in the bush and in isolated swamps. Imunu representing these spirits in their visible form is originally used to cajole or coax supernatural beings into attending to human needs and protection.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic New Guinea 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.

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