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The Todd Barlin Collection (Part Two) — Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Auction House:Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & ValuersNumber of lots recorded:326
Sale Title:The Todd Barlin Collection (Part Two)Lots with images:325
Auction Location:SydneyPrices available:244
Date:8-May-2016
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A fine collection of Fifteen Indonesian Kris knife handles, mostly 19th century, [15], My collection of Kris handles was started in 1985 & I bought many of the first ones from Daeng Iskander, an important Art Dealer in Bali who helped Barbier Mueller build his Indonesian Art collection which is now in the Musee du Quai Branly collection in Paris.' - Todd Barlin. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 8 cm to 10 cm
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An ancient guardian post figure, West Nepal tribal people, an 18/19th century figure with square holes in the back where it was attached to a wall or post, the face is very expressive & there is an ancient patina overall. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 104 x 17 cm
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A large & finely woven Philippine basket. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 85 x 60 cm
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A collection of twenty old glass earrings from Geelvink Bay, [20], these glass earrings were collected on the Waropen Coast & Geelvink Bay along the north Coast of West Papua during several trips there in 1985-86. Called 'dimbo' in the local Warpoen language, they were an important type of traditional wealth used for bride price payments & other types of compensation payments. As the Papuan's had no glass technology they were obtained from Malay Traders & the Sultan of Tidore in exchange for bird of…
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A collection of twenty old glass earrings from Geelvink Bay, [20], these glass earrings were collected on the Waropen Coast & Geelvink Bay along the north Coast of West Papua during several trips there in 1985-86. Called 'dimbo' in the local Warpoen language, they were an important type of traditional wealth used for bride price payments & other types of compensation payments. As the Papuan's had no glass technology they were obtained from Malay Traders & the Sultan of Tidore in exchange for bird of…
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A Thai temple plaque, early 20th century, consisting of numerous small clay Buddha Votive figures each recessed into individual niches, votives were made & used in Buddhist Communities to show devotion & earn merit, they were made in bronze moulds & after being stamped were left to sun dry. When dry they were often hand painted with lacquer & gold or silver leaf, when finished they were used to fill up Stupa (sacred Buddhist monuments). These Votives known as Tsa Tsa in Tibet were also used in funerary…
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A Thai temple plaque, early 20th century, consisting of numerous small clay Buddha Votive figures each recessed into individual niches, votives were made & used in Buddhist Communities to show devotion & earn merit, they were made in bronze moulds & after being stamped were left to sun dry. When dry they were often hand painted with lacquer & gold or silver leaf, when finished they were used to fill up Stupa (sacred Buddhist monuments). These Votives known as Tsa Tsa in Tibet were also used in funerary…
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Twenty-six hand drawn & painted Turkish anatomical & medical drawings, [26], based on original medical texts composed in the 15th century by the Turkish physician Serafettin Sabuncuoglu. At that time, it represented the most detailed anatomical explanations & medical procedures that became a standard reference for the world. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 22 x 15 cm, largest 28 x 20 cm
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Three old Kina shells in original bark Wallets, Mendi Valley, Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea, [3], all fine early pre-European examples, 19th century. These were very important wealth objects with a long history of use in traditional exchange ceremonies where ' Big Men ' gave away their wealth in Kina shells and Pigs to gain status but also to incur obligations for the future from other clans. Provenance: field collected by Todd Barlin in 1986.
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Two old New Guinea Highlands Magic bags, [2], including an old Magic Bundle for success in warfare from the Wahgi Valley area, Western Highlands Province, together with another Magic Bundle decorated with possum jaw bones (30 cm) that has an old label that reads 'Tulmkon ' a bag with girl magic worn under the armpit, Bomlba village, Minj Sub district, Western Highlands Province. All over New Guinea people believed in magical objects and substances that protected them from malevolent acts or sorcery against…
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Two pairs Abelam hair ornaments, [2], these are very old and tightly woven hair decorations that were worn in male dancer's hair for yam ceremonies. Collected in the Maprik area in the early 1970's. Provenance: Collected by the well known New Guinea field collector Barry Hoare in the 1970s / Todd Barlin collection. 35 cm to 47 cm
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A Massim Kula object, Milne Bay Province,Papua New Guinea, together with a Massim Chief's lime gourd with fine shell money & pig tusk stopper, [2], finely made from Conis and Cowrie shells and decorated with pink shell money discs and fibre binding. The Kula exchange or Kula is an ancient ceremonial exchange system conducted in the Milne Bay Province. All Kula valuables are traded purely for purposes of enhancing one's social status and prestige. Carefully prescribed customs and traditions surround the…
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A fine wealth Billum, Sepik river area, finely woven bush fibre string bag, ochre painted and highly decorated with shell wealth items, including: Nassa shells, Bailer shell, Cowrie shells and Conis shell discs. See the field photo of similar wealth billums in the village. Provenance: Collected by Peter Hallinan (1938-2015). Peter was a well-known and respected field collector of New Guinea Art / Todd Barlin collection. 46 x 55 cm
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Two shell wealth objects, Arawe area, New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea, [2], according to Chantal Knowles and Chris Gosden in 'form, colour & inspiration: Oceanic Art from New Britain 2001', gold-Lip pearl shell is the most valuable wealth item used among the people of the Arawe Cultural group and also traded further across New Britain. These important objects were never worn. They were used as a form of currency particularly associated with ceremonial exchanges such as bride wealth but also in…
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Two Lumi shell wealth Mats (poli), [2], Lumi area, Wape Culture, Torricelli Mountains, West Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, These important wealth objects were used as a currency during bride payments, they consist of hundreds of tiny nassa shells individually sewn in rows onto a bark cloth backing. They were also worn during important ceremonies to honour their ancestors. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection c. 1986. 39 x 36 cm, 55 x 20 cm
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Six fine & old body ornaments, mostly Sepik river area, [6], consisting of a bone & Boars tusk ornament from Amanab in the far West Sepik Province, a Sepik Bailer shell necklace with small carved wood Amulet mask, a nassa shell headband, two other Sepik shell necklaces and a double Boars tusk Amulet. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 18 cm to 60 cm
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A collection of Marind Anim ornaments, together with two very old Marind Anim shell Trumpets with fibre decorations, consisting of eight body ornaments including an Abrus Seeded decorated panel, two woven Fibre Wigs (myub) and two fibre skirts (as seen in the field photos of the Dema Performers), the trumpets were used for important Mayo Dema Ceremonies, These were left over from the collections I made for major museums including a full Dema Ceremony now held at the Musee du Quai Branly in Paris and…
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Four old coconut spoons, Papuan Gulf, together with an old Sepik river betel mortar, [5]. Provenance: The coconut spoon finely carved with an abstract spirit or ancestor figure and traces of lime decoration. This spoon was originally from the toast and Rohu collection. From 1872 to the 1930's, Jane Tost and her daughter Ada (married to Naturalist and artefact collector Henry Rohu), founded Tost & Rohu, a fancy work Depot & taxidermy Studio. During the late nineteenth century the Company focused on selling…
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A fine old Magic bag, Sepik river, this fine old Magic Bundle consists of a finely woven string bag with long tassels, the front adorned with boar tusk decorations and a small wood Amulet mask. Inside there are four ancient bones for divination purposes (I was told they were dog bones) and an incised carved piece of wood. All over New Guinea people believed in magical objects and substances that protected them from malevolent acts or sorcery against them. These objects were often kept in special made small…
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Bridal wealth Veil / ornament (ambusap), middle Sepik river area, this finely woven and shell decorated ornament was worn on the head during bridal ceremonies and is also an important form of traditional shell wealth that are family heirlooms. It is made from finely woven tree bark fibre, rope, and decorated by individually sewing each Cowrie, Nassa, Conis and Bailer shell over the entire surface, the terminus has a finely woven crocodile head with several egg Cowrie shells. There are also pearl shells…
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An early Micronesian navigational map, known as stick Charts which were used to navigate the Pacific Islands by canoe. Made from straight and bent pieces of coconut fronds midribs and tied with sennit coconut fibre string, small Cowrie shells are tied in precise spots to identify Islands in the chain to navigate in traditional canoes from Island to Island. Provenance: C. Barnes collected this map on Truk Island in the 1950's / Todd Barlin collection. 43 x 40 cm
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Three old baskets & two lime Gourds, Admiralty Islands, [5]. Provenance: The late Nora Heysen (1913-2003) Australian Artist and daughter of the late Hans Heysen. Nora Heysen was in New Guinea in the 1940's and had a collection of Pacific Islands artefacts at her home in Hunters Hill. C. 1940's / Todd Barlin collection. 30 cm to 45 cm
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Three pig bone Belts & an incised decorated Penis gourd, Waris District, West Papua, Indonesia, [4]. Provenance: Collected by Todd Barlin 1985. See attached field photos of Waris men getting ready for a traditional ceremony, when they swing their hips forward and back whilst dancing the penis gourd hits the bone belts and makes a noise 'Tok, Tok, Tok'. When a group of men are doing this in unison it makes a great percussion sound. 'Comes with an ordinal photo I took in West Papua.' Todd Barlin. Belts 45 cm…
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A collection of fine & early Massim shell money, together with a group of nine Massim Boars tusk wealth objects, 19th century. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection.
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Three long strands of very fine small shell money from New Ireland, [3], in New Ireland shell money called mis is used to pay or sponsor funerary ceremonies called Malangaan. Families and clans have to combine their resources to pay for the elaborate carvings used in the Malangaan ceremonies. Shell money is an important part of the traditional payments. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 120 cm, 150 cm, 280 cm
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A large collection of shell money from the New Guinea Mainland, New Britain & New Ireland, 19th century. Provenance: BL Hornshaw collection (1878-1937). Hornshaw was an avid collector of Pacific & Australian Aboriginal artefacts, he received many of his pieces from people who lived and worked in the Pacific in the late 19th century. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection.
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A collection of old shell wealth items New Guinea, including eight ancient shell rings, Papuan Gulf, Abelam && Humboldt Bay, three old Conis shell bangles Papuan Gulf, three old Bailer shell ornaments & small Kap Kap Papuan Gulf and a shell headband EHP. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection.
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Four small old figures (fragments from old bowls), Ramu river area,Papua New Guinea, [4], all on custom made stands. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 13 cm to 19 cm
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A group of Sepik & Massim carvings, [8], including two woven yam masks and six carvings, (Please note the paddle shown in these photos is NOT in this lot). Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 25 cm to 60 cm
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Four woven paddle Sleeves, two Paddles & an old bow & Arrows set from the Brazza river area, Asmat, West Papua, [9], the sleaves are elaborately decorated with Croix Seeds and cockatoo Feathers. These were used for decorating their long canoe paddles for the ceremony of launching newly made canoes. There is significance and ceremony attached to making canoes and when they are ready they must have all the correct decorations to appease the ancestors. Cockatoos are a headhunting symbol in Asmat Art.…
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A box of wealth items, Dani people, Baliem Valley, West Papua, [14], consisting of nine large woven bush fibre nets called 'su', these are a traditional form of wealth, made exclusively for one purpose - to display scared Je stones (see attached field photo), together with two fine Cowrie shells and Orchid stem Fibre woven wealth Belts 'Jetalic', together with a fine old Dani warrior's Bailer shell necklace, together with two finely woven & braided Orchid stem Fibre Married Women's Skirts. Provenance: all…
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A box of Marind Anim Fibre ornaments, West Papua, ten ceremonial Wigs called 'myub'in perfect condition (see field photos), woven chest ornaments, armbands and leg bands (1 box), and a collection of Marind Anim feather ornaments for Dema Costumes. Provenance: Collected by Todd Barlin in 1985-1986. These were left over items from the Marind Anim collection at the Musee du Quai Branly in Paris.
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A Sacred Dani Je stone ceremonial set, West Papua, collected by Todd Barlin after the Funeral of the famous warrior Kurelu in 1988. Up to 20,000 Dani, Yali and Lani people came to his funeral. This Scared Je stone Bundle was exchanged among the important men who came to Kurelu's funeral and exchange. It is a complete set from Kurelu's funeral with the original woven Nets called 'Su' that the most important sacred stones must be presented on. Only the largest and most scared Wusu or Je oak stones are used…
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Two fine feather ornaments from New Guinea, together with a rare green iridescent beatle headband, [3], finely woven and with beautifully coloured feathers. Provenance: Collected by Peter Hallinan (1938-2015). Peter was a well-known and respected field collector of New Guinea Art (see field photo of Peter Hallinan buying feather headdress in Okapa in the 1970's) / Todd Barlin collection. 17 cm to 35 cm
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Three fine feather ornaments, Eastern Highlands Papua New Guinea, [3]. Provenance: Collected by Peter Hallinan (1938-2015). Peter was a well-known and respected field collector of New Guinea Art. (See field photo of Peter Hallinan buying feather headdress in Okapa in the 1970's) / Todd Barlin collection. 17 cm to 35 cm
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A fine Dani warrior's bag & two Dani ornaments, West Papua, [3], only warriors of a certain age and status can wear this type of feathered bag on their back (see field photo). Dead birds is a 1963 documentary film by Robert Gardner about the Dani people of New Guinea . It was produced as part of the Harvard-Peabody Expedition to study the highlands of New Guinea . The title relates to the Dani Mythology that there was once a great race between a bird and a snake, which was to determine the lives of human…
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Three feather ornaments from New Guinea, [3], finely woven with beautiful feather work. Provenance: Collected by Peter Hallinan (1938-2015). Peter was a well-known and respected field collector of New Guinea Art (see field photo of Peter Hallinan buying feather headdress in Okapa in the 1970's) / Todd Barlin collection. 32 cm to 45 cm
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Nine superb feather headdress, Eastern Highlands Provence, [9], finely woven with beautiful feather work. Provenance: Collected by Peter Hallinan (1938-2015). Peter was a well-known and respected field collector of New Guinea Art. (see field photo of Peter Hallinan buying feather headdress in Okapa in the 1970's) / Todd Barlin collection. 40 x 22 cm
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A large & fine Moka Kina plaque, Western Highlands,Papua New Guinea, Moka Kina are a type of important traditional shell wealth consisting of a large gold lipped Kina shell embedded in resin on a wood base. They were used in bridal payments, funeral and wealth exchanges among clans. See the field photo of examples of how they were used. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 56 x 50 cm
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A fine old Massim Ghena wealth spatula, 19th century,Papua New Guinea, in the Louisiade Archipelago there are crescent-shaped wealth Spatulas made of wood and turtle shell. Their primary purpose is to display a form of red shell money currency known as bagi. These wealth objects were given to a widow during elaborate funeral feasting ceremonies and also used for other traditional payments. 'I had several of these beautiful objects and these are the last ones.' Todd Barlin. Provenance: from the famous…
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A fine old Massim Ghena wealth spatula, 19th century,Papua New Guinea, in the Louisiade Archipelago there are crescent-shaped wealth Spatulas made of wood and turtle shell. Their primary purpose is to display a form of red shell money currency known as bagi. These wealth objects were given to a widow during elaborate funeral feasting ceremonies and also used for other traditional payments. 'I had several of these beautiful objects and these are the last ones.' Todd Barlin. Provenance: from the famous…
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Two bamboo Smoking pipes, Southern Highlands,Papua New Guinea, [2], both in the form of a spiny anteater, this anthropomorphic association with anteaters goes back to prehistoric times as seen in ancient stone pieces like the Ambun stone at the National Gallery of Australia. Provenance: Collected by Todd Barlin in Mendi Valley in 1985. 34 cm, 39 cm
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A large Phallic shaped Kris (ceremonial knife) holder from Bali, the majority of Balinese are Hindu and this represents Shiva Lingga. It has a male and female figure clutching the base of the large erect penis. It is painted in old red lacquer and still has traces of gold leaf on the penis. On the top of the penis is a hole where the ceremonial knife or kris can be inserted. Provenance: Galleries Primitif, Sydney. This kris holder was in the gallery during the time Leo Fleischmann managed the Galleries…
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A fine Taino stone pestle, 1000-1400 AD, Dominican Republic, of dense hard stone carved with a recumbent figure for the handle but the body of the pestle also forms a second figure, minor chips and some white dots of old paint (from when collectors painted their houses but did not cover their collections properly). Provenance: BL Hornshaw collection (1878-1937). Hornshaw was an avid collector of Pacific and Australian Aboriginal artefacts, he received many of his pieces from people who lived and worked in…
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Three old hair pins, West & Central Australia, [3], all finely incised, two with interlocking designs and the other with incised concentric Circles, 19/20th century. Provenance: Lord Alistair McAlpine (1942-2014) was a British businessman, politician and author who was an advisor to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and a lifetime collector in many fields including Aboriginal Art. He was an early collector of the American painter mark Rothko and could easily see the sophisticated aesthetics of Aboriginal…
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A large & fine Songe Kifwebe mask, the grooved pattern on the face of the mask is a common characteristic of a Kifwebe mask from the Songye tribe in the Democratic Republic of Congo in central sub-Saharan Africa. The white paint in the grooves symbolizes peace, light and the purity of the soul. The dark colour symbolizes nature as positive force. The facial elements are associated with animals. The Songye tribe uses this type of mask during ceremonies, and at the funeral processions of important leaders.…
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Four old Papua New Guinea pottery pieces, [4], including large Aibom pottery fire pot Stove. Provenance: ex Leo Fleischman (55 x 45 cm) and three other old pottery pieces: one from the famous Peter Hallinan collection from the Amphlett Islands (17 cm) the other from Bau people Madang (24 cm) and another early Madang piece from the Leo Fleischmann collection, (this has been glued back together and with a little care could be made as new) / Todd Barlin collection. 55 x 45 cm, 17 cm, 24 cm
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A Malekula ceremonial bow, Venambuas village, Inland Malekula Island, Vanuatu, together with an older used ceremonial plaque, [2], the ceremonial plaque is in the form of an spirit figure. The bow was used in ceremonies that masked dancers held while enacting the myths of their clans. 'I was lucky to be invited to this remote inland small nambas village in 1986. I was allowed to buy several artworks from them including this ceremonial bowl and ceremonial plaque (see field photo) both were used pieces and…
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A ceremonial headdress, Wahgi Valley, Western Highlands Province, finely made from bark cloth and resin over a cane frame, decorated with croix seeds, shells, feathers and ochre painted. This type of headdress was unique to the Wahgi Valley clans. See similar headdress in the book: Paradise, Portraying the New Guinea Highlands by Michael O'Hanlon for a British Museum Exhibition in 1993. Provenance: Collected by Todd Barlin in the Western Highlands 1987 mount Hagen show. 70 cm
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A ceremonial headdress, Wahgi Valley, Western Highlands Province, finely made from bark cloth and resin over a cane frame, decorated with croix seeds, shells, feathers and ochre painted. This type of headdress was unique to the Wahgi Valley clans. See similar headdress in the book: Paradise, Portraying the New Guinea Highlands by Michael O'Hanlon for a British Museum Exhibition in 1993. Provenance: Collected by Todd Barlin in the Western Highlands 1987 mount Hagen show. 71 cm
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Four old Maori ear ornaments, [4], two shark tooth ear ornaments with red sealing wax, together with two greenstone ear ornaments. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection, 23 mm, 25 mm, 80 mm, 90 mm
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Maori hand club wahaika, this hardwood club is finely incised over the entire blade with deep relief linear haehae carving. A finely carved ancestor figure on the side of the club with elliptical eyes, curved legs and hands held to the belly. The butt of the club has a stylized face with protruding tongue and is pierced with a hole for fibre attachment (handle). A wahaika is a short club normally made of wood or whalebone. Its name can be translated to mean 'the mouth of the fish'. The club has a notch on…
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Five New Guinea body ornaments, [5], a fine old Karahut ornament, a dogs teeth necklace, a boar's tusk necklace and two shell necklaces. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. Karahut ornament 26 cm
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A Maori folk art pipe, in the form of a Maori warrior smoking a pipe with full facial tattoos and pearl shell inset eyes. The back of the pipe has a lizard entwined on the stem of the pipe, also with pearl shell inset eyes. Mid 20th century or earlier. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 8 cm
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Two old Conch shell Trumpets, [2], unknown pacific origin, possible New Guinea or Polynesia. The smaller one comes in its own woven bag and the larger with a finely woven rope handle with shell decoration. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. Shells only 19 cm to 26 cm
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Three large Tapa cloth paintings, Oro ProvincePapua New Guinea, [3], all in good condition with finely painted clan designs. Provenance: David Baker collection. David Baker was serving President of the Oceanic Art Society until his death in 2009. He owned the New Guinea gallery in Sydney and travelled widely in the Pacific countries acquiring an Oceanic Art collection. Mr. Baker supplied Pacific Art works to many important collections and institutions including the National Gallery of Australia / Todd…
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Tapa mask Nakanai people, New Britain. Provenance: Ex William Rubin collection (1927-2006). From 1968 to 1988, Rubin was a curator and director of the painting and sculpture department at the Museum of modern Art, located in New York city, New York . He played a key role in building the Museum's collection of abstract-expressionism works and organized many exhibitions, including Dada, Surrealism, & Their Heritage (1968) and the ground breaking exhibition Primitivism in 20th century Art: exhibiting Oceanic…
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A rare Massim carved dwarf coconut container & red shell money discs, 19th century, together with a fine old lime container, [2], this is a rare type of Women's object that was used for storing important pieces of shell money ndap. For other published examples see: Oceanic Art by Anthony Meyer, p. 408 for an undecorated one and in 'Oceanic & Indonesian Art' p. 62, by the Oceanic Art Society in 1998, together with a fine old lime container made from a dwarf coconut finely incised with an animal face and…
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Bainning Tapa cloth, New Britain, mid 20th century or earlier, finely painted black and red designs. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 137 x 67 cm
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A box of tribal books, Catalogues, tribal & Asian Exhibition photos. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection.
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A stone mortar & pestle, Mendi Valley, together with four ancient stone axe heads, [5], These ancient stone pieces are generally found by villagers when making gardens, they then re-use them as magical objects. Hence why this one has painted red and white ochre decoration. The mortar is footed and has a rim chip that neatly accommodates the pestle. Provenance: BL Hornshaw collection (1878-1937) Hornshaw was an avid collector of Pacific & Australian Aboriginal artefacts, he received many of his pieces from…
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Two old incised bamboo containers, Aitinyo area, Sorong District West Papua, [2], These are owned and used by women to save important wealth items such as bird of paradiseFeathers & ancient woven Textiles. These textiles were traded from the Sultan of Tidore and Timorese traders, who regularly came to this part of the Island of New Guinea to buy bird of paradisefeathers. Provenance: field collected by Todd Barlin in Fategomi village in 1985. On left the owner was: Pauline Kambu on right: Antonia Antoh. 41…
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An old Maori nephrite adze, 19th century or earlier, finely shaped working adze made from a deep green nephrite. Provenance: BL Hornshaw collection (1878-1937) Hornshaw was an avid collector of Pacific & Australian Aboriginal artefacts, he received many of his pieces from people who lived & worked in the Pacific in the late 19th century / Todd Barlin collection. 17 x 7.5 cm
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Five old Penis covers, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, [5], including a finely woven Pentecost Island Vanuatu Penis wrap, two Waris incised Gourds, a Sepik river decorated gourd, and a long and finely made basketry penis cover, probably upper Sepik river (see attached field photos of Waris area men wearing the penis gourds). Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 10 cm to 110 cm
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Five old Asmat bone Daggers, West Papua, [5], These bone Daggers were used in the initiation of the young men during the Emak Cem Ceremony in Jamas. These daggers were given by the maternal uncles of the initiates during the 2 month seclusion period of the ceremony. They were gifted to me by the old men after the ceremony as I had helped with many things in the village during and after the ceremony.' Todd Barlin. See attached field photos of this ceremony. Provenance: Collected by Todd Barlin in Jamas…
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Five old Sepik bone Daggers, [5], two Abelam Cassowary bone Daggers and an Abelam lime stick with finely carved bird head finial, on far right are two old upper Sepik river Daggers (probably April or May Rivers area). Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 35 cm to 40 cm
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Rootstock club Fiji, 19th century, this heavy large club is a rootstock club called waka. The mace like head of the club is carved from the buttress roots of the uprooted sapling from which the club was made. The handle of the club is carved with zigzag design in relief, known as tavatava. The design has been interpreted as a pictorial representation of seniti binding and is a design borrowed from Fijian body Art. The role of the craftsman in Fijian culture was highly valued and the woodcraftsmen in Fiji…
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A Fijian Kiakavo club, 18/19th century, finely carved from a single piece of hardwood, the striking section with raised detail and very old patina. Provenance: Robert Henry Pulleine (1869-1935), physician and naturalist, was born on 7 June 1869 at Picton, Marlborough, New Zealand, Son of Frederick Arthur Pulleine, later first registrar of the South Australian school of Mines and Industries, and his wife Lucy Jane, nee butt. His childhood was spent in Fiji. The family moved to Adelaide in 1881 and Robert…
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A collection of five Fijian Ula throwing clubs, all 18/19th century, [5], includes four ball headed clubs (one with human tooth inlay). All have finely carved tavatava designs on the handles and another Ula with Lobbed head and serrated edged inlay to bottom of handle. All have old shiny aged patina. Provenance: Robert Henry Pulleine (1869-1935), physician and naturalist, was born on 7 June 1869 at Picton, Marlborough, New Zealand, Son of Frederick Arthur Pulleine, later first registrar of the South…
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Three Fiji Kiakavo clubs, 19th century, [3], these three fine examples are all made from hardwood and of good form, one has the very unusual butt that is definitely in the shape of a phallus. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 99 cm, 85 cm, 100 cm
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Two early Fijian Bowai pole clubs, 18/19th century, [2], both of the highest aesthetic quality, both carved from hardwood and extremely straight with exceptional form flaring towards the striking end & also at the grip which is covered in fine & deeply incised tavatava designs. Provenance: Robert Henry Pulleine (1869-1935), physician and naturalist, was born on 7 June 1869 at Picton, Marlborough, New Zealand, Son of Frederick Arthur Pulleine, later first registrar of the South Australian school of Mines…
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A fine 19th century war club, Tanna Island, Vanuatu, together with another fine 19th century war axe, Vanuatu axe, [2], with fine star shaped and incised striking section and handle with original section or fibre binding to keep the hand from slipping when sweaty. The war axe is finely carved conical shaped butt with a section for fibre sling attachment. Provenance: George Cann collection (1890s-1965). Cann was known as the snake man of La Perouse and entertained crowds when he worked at La Perouse from…
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Three old Malaita Alafolo type war clubs, 19/20th century, [3], these fine examples are all made from straight hardwood, flaring towards the striking end of the club and with deep incised designs and medial ridge like a protruding nose on both sides of the club. The grips all have a band of larger carving that keeps your hand from slipping when fighting, this area also has some designs. Provenance: These three clubs were collected by Todd Barlin in 1986 when he walked across Malaita by invitation from…
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Four old stone headed clubs, New Guinea, 18/19th century, [4], two pineapple shaped club heads, a star shaped head and a disc shaped head club, all with very old handles and some fibre or woven attachments. Provenance: Ex James Cobon, surveyor to British New Guinea in 1892-1893. Cobon was engaged by the Governor of British New Guinea, Sir William Macgregor, in 1892 on behalf of the British New Guinea Administration / Todd Barlin collection. 113 cm, 93 cm, 91 cm, 71 cm
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A fine & early Rennel Island club, Solomon Islands, of good form carved from a dense hardwood and the handle grip has the original sennit binding. Provenance: The South Seas Evangelical Mission collection, late 19th century / Todd Barlin collection. 60 x 17 cm
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A fine & early Vao Island (Malekula) ceremonial pig Killing Hammer, this pig Killing hammer is a very early example and finely carved in Vao Island style. These objects were highly important ceremonial implements that were used to kill pigs when a high ranking man was going to undertake a new grade or title during the ceremony. The taking of a higher grade took immense efforts and wealth in both accumulating pigs, food to feeds guests and traditional wealth objects such as full circle boar's tusks, which…
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A Cook Islands staff, together with a Matty Island Breadfruit axe, [2], a finely carved staff with two classical tiki figures and the axe of traditional functional form. Provenance: Collected by Joseph Crogan in the 1960's. He was an Australian Expatriate who worked with the Government in the Cook Islands / Todd Barlin collection. 93 cm, 45 cm
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Two old Sepik river spear Throwers, [2], one of the 'Bamboo type' with a finely carved wood ornament in the form of a stylized bird, the other made from a single piece of hard wood with fine incised designs on both sides and old patina. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 89 cm, 99 cm
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Two fine Gilbert Islands shark teeth knives, 19th century, [2], both carved from hardwood with the original sennit binding holding the serrated shark's teeth in place. A few teeth missing on the larger curved knife, the smaller one in perfect condition. Provenance: (small knife) ex BL Hornshaw collection (1878-1937). Hornshaw was an avid collector of Pacific and Australian Aboriginal artefacts, he received many of his pieces from people who lived and worked in the Pacific in the late 19th century / Todd…
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Three old Sepik spear finials, [3], two with finely carved figurative ornaments and bamboo tips, the other with deep incised designs and hardwood pronged tip. 19th century. Provenance: The middle one with small figures was collected by Peter Mann in 1967 and was also ex Alex Philips collection / Todd Barlin collection. 126 cm, 125 cm, 135 cm
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An early Admiralty Islands Obsidian Bladed spear, together with an Obsidian Bladed dagger, [2], spear with a carved crocodile, ochre painting and fine binding, dagger with tradition resin handle and sharp fine flaked blade. Both late 19th century. Provenance: BL Hornshaw collection (1878-1937). Hornshaw was an avid collector of Pacific and Australian Aboriginal artefacts, he received many of his pieces from people who lived and worked in the Pacific in the late 19th century / Todd Barlin collection. 65 cm,…
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Two old Sepik spear thrower ornaments, [2], one in the form of a bird and the other a crocodile, both with incised designs and old patina. Provenance: Anthony Forge collection. Forge (1929-1991) was born in London. He studied archaeology and anthropology under prominent anthropologist Edmund Leach at Cambridge University, graduating in 1953. As a student, Forge had examined the extensive collection from the Sepik region of Papua New Guinea, housed at the Haddon Museum at Cambridge, now the Museum of…
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Four artefacts, [4], a figural Sepik betel mortar, an old lime coconut with incised designs, a coconut spoon from the Markham Valley, a Santa Cruz Islands feather money ornament with a turtle design on one side and a small shark on the reverse. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 12 cm, 5.5 cm, 12 cm
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Two fine West Australian Woomeras, [2], both finely incised over the entire front surface, one with zig zag designs and the other abstract designs and possibly a snake (or rainbow serpent) motif. Both have peg at top intact and old use patina. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 81 cm, 84 cm
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A fine old Wunda shield, West Australia, late 19th - early 20th century. Finely incised zig zag designs with traces of the original white, red ochre decorations & old patination. Provenance: Lord Alistair McAlpine (1942-2014) was a British businessman, politician and author who was an advisor to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. He was a lifetime collector in many fields including Aboriginal Art. He was an early collector of the American painter mark Rothko and could easily see the sophisticated aesthetics…
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A fine & early shield, West Australia, early 20th century. Finely incised zig zag designs with traces of the original white, red ochre decorations & old patination. Provenance: Lord Alistair McAlpine (1942-2014) was a British businessman, politician and author who was an advisor to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. He was a lifetime collector in many fields including Aboriginal Art. He was an early collector of the American painter mark Rothko and could easily see the sophisticated aesthetics of Aboriginal…
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A collection of small Aboriginal implements, [13], including four Spinifex resin ended stone Knifes, three wood implements, four stone chip points. Provenance: BL Hornshaw collection (1878-1937). Hornshaw was an avid collector of Pacific and Australian Aboriginal artefacts. He received many of his pieces from people who lived and worked in the Pacific in the late 19th century / Todd Barlin collection. 3 cm to 19.5 cm
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War shield Mendi Valley, Southern Highlands Province, this oval type of shield known as worrumbi was the most important type of shield for fighting in the Mendi Valley area. This old and well used shield carved from hardwood with incised and painted designs. Provenance: Collected by Todd Barlin in Mendi in 1985. 136 x 43 cm
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War shield Mendi Valley, Southern Highlands Province, this oval type of shield known as worrumbi was the most important type of shield for fighting in the Mendi Valley area. This shield with an abstract anthropomorphic figure is of the rarest type. An old and well used shield carved from hardwood and has pecked designs for the outline of the figure and then ochre painted decoration. There is a native repair at bottom of this shield. Provenance: Collected by Todd Barlin in Mendi in 1986. 138 x 49 cm
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War shield Mendi Valley, Southern Highlands Province, this oval type of shield known as worrumbi was the most important type of shield for fighting in the Mendi Valley area. This old and well used shield carved from hardwood with incised and painted designs. Provenance: Collected by Todd Barlin in Mendi in 1986. 134 x 39 cm
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War shield, Wahgi Valley area, Western Highlands Province, this large and well used older shield has many battle scars and arrow holes. It is made from a dense hardwood. Trees of this size were long ago used by people who had to go further & further to trade to get decent quality and size wood for their shields. Provenance: Purchased from a mount Hagen man named Yap Kupigal in 1986 seen in the field photo he is the man on the left / Todd Barlin collection. 164 x 60 cm
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War shield, Lumi area, Torricelli Mountains, West Sepik Province, late 19th century, Lumi shields are greatly appreciated for their beautiful kidney shaped form, this is a fine old example, deeply carved designs and signs of use in battle. Provenance: Collected in the 1950-1960 period by the missionary Jack Hibbert / Todd Barlin collection. 88 x 57 cm
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Shield, Motu people, central Province, Papua New Guinea, 19th century, this type of shield was used along the coast between cape Possession & Hall sound and inland from these coastal areas. These shields are highly sought after by collectors because of the refined figure eight shape and fine woven binding and incised lime filled decoration. Provenance: BL Hornshaw collection (1878-1937). Hornshaw was an avid collector of Pacific and Australian Aboriginal artefacts, he received many of his pieces from…
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Old war shield, Simbai area,Papua New Guinea, Bismarck Schrader Ranges, Madang Province, finely carved with clan designs and very old patina. Some arrow and spear tips embedded in the front of this shield. Early 20th century. Provenance: Collected by Jack Hibbert who was a missionary living and working in New Guinea in the 1960's / Todd Barlin collection. 110 x 68 cm
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An old war shield Telefomin area, star Mountains, West Sepik,Papua New Guinea, deeply incised clan designs with ochre infill decoration. Original rattan handle on back. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 150 x 53 cm
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Old war shield Telefomin area, star Mountains, West Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, finely incised clan designs with ochre infill decoration and old patination. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. Exhibited and Published in an exhibition: Oceanic arts Pacifica Casula power house gallery 2014, full A-4 page photo on page 26 (a copy of this catalogue comes with the shield). 165 x 47 cm
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An old West Asmat shield, Monu village, NW Asmat, south Coast of West Papua, south Coast of West Papua. This old, well used war shield is finely incised with the main design depicting a flying fox which is a powerful headhunting symbol. I collected this shield in 1985 and was told by the old man who owned it that the split (which is stable) was made by a spear from a tribal fight with the people from Awemu village over a stolen woman. In this shield you can really see the old style of Asmat carving and the…
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War shield Mendi Valley, Southern Highlands Province, this oval type of shield known as worrumbi was the most important type of shield for fighting in the Mendi Valley area. This old and used shield has a battle scarred front with painted geometric designs. Provenance: Collected by Todd Barlin in Mendi in 1986. 139 x 48 cm
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War shield Mendi Valley, Southern Highlands Province, this oval type of shield known as worrumbi was the most important type of shield for fighting in the Mendi Valley area. This old and well used shield is carved from hardwood with incised and painted designs with old patina. Provenance: Collected by Todd Barlin in Mendi in 1986. 121 cm x 40 cm
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A large war shield, mount Hagen area, Western Highlands Province, this fine shield with pecked design and ochre painting is similar to one that I sold to John Friede 20 years ago (see attached third image for a photo of the John Freide shield).' Todd Barlin. This shield is from a dense hardwood. Trees this size were long ago used by people who had to go further and further to trade to obtain decent quality and size wood for their shields. Provenance: Purchased in mount Hagen from a man named Yap Kupigal in…
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