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Fine Aboriginal & Ethnographic Art — Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Auction House:Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & ValuersNumber of lots recorded:130
Sale Title:Fine Aboriginal & Ethnographic ArtLots with images:130
Auction Location:SydneyPrices available:73
Date:11-Dec-2016
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Two bentwood arm bands of horseshoe shape, formed by resin covering, wrapped by bush string. Provenance: Purchased at Lawsons 11/11/96 Lot 314, Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory 16 cm, 15 cm
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A child's spear thrower shell handle missing. Provenance: Purchased at Deustcher & Hackett 25/04/98 Lot 264, north-East Queensland 51 cm
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A 19th century photograph of a group of Western Australian Aborigines photographer, date and location unknown 19.5 x 14 cm
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A collection of Aboriginal boomerangs, two decorated with blue paint, Central Australia, Longest 56 cm
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Aboriginal log coffin lorrkon, with painted ochre designs around main trunk and four extrusions to top. Used to store the bones of the deceased. Maningrida, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, 132 cm
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Early Aboriginal shield, old and weathered with fire making marks to front. Wear and damage conducive with age. A/F, Central Australia, 69 x 17 cm
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An early Aboriginal Wunda shield, with faded ochre design. Some chips and wear conducive to age. A/F, Western Australia, 60 x 11 cm
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Painted Aboriginal Coolomon, with profuse vibrant design to base and interior. Central Australia, 67 x 19.5 cm
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Reworked Aboriginal shield, an interesting older shield that has been subsequently decorated by the hot wire technique in a leaf pattern. South Eastern Australia, 81 x 13 cm
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No. 7 boomerang, a fine and early example of the classic no. 7 or hooked boomerang. A/F, Northern Territory, 67 x 32 cm
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Aboriginal bark painting, of three fish on a black background. Groote Eyland, Northern Territory, 23 x 33 cm
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A set of Arrows from New Guinea, 21 assorted arrows with bamboo shafts and fitted heads. Various regions,Papua New Guinea
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A set of Arrows from New Guinea, 21 assorted arrows with bamboo shafts and fitted heads. Various regions,Papua New Guinea
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A set of Arrows from New Guinea, 18 assorted arrows with bamboo shafts and fitted heads. Various regions,Papua New Guinea
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Two lower Sepik ancestral figures (2), two figures in squatting form wwith clasped hands. Murik Lakes, lower Sepik river region,Papua New Guinea
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Three Betul nut Mortars (3), two in classic goblet form, one in the shape of a bird. Wood with incised traditional designs. Murik Lakes region, lower Sepik river,Papua New Guinea
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Three Betul nut Mortars (3), two in double handle format, one in classic goblet form. Profusely carved with incised traditional designs and stylised ancestral figures. Murik Lakes region, lower Sepik river,Papua New Guinea
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An Abelam Hornbill figure, a finely crafted hornbill figure decorated with polychrome natural earth pigments. Crack to face, A/F. Maprik region, East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea.
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A collection of early Massim artefacts (4) including a bowl, a lime pot, a club and a small paint dish in the form of a turtle, Trobriand Islands,Papua New Guinea 13 cm - 31 cm
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Two Abelam ancestral figures, one with head surmounted by two birds, damage to left side A/F. East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, 73 cm, 74 cm
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An Abelam ancestral figure, male with traditional bilas and stylised headdress decorated with natural earth pigments. A/F, East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, 98 cm
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An Abelam ancestral figure, in female form with long hanging breasts decorated with traditional bilas and stylised headdress. Decorated with natural earth pigments. A/F. East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, 105 cm
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Three Sago Pegs, used in the production of sago to hold the fabric straining cloth in place. Human faces surmounted by hornbill birds. A/F, East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, 53 cm - 66 cm
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A Breadfruit Splitter, bone head fitted to wooden handle with fine sennit binding. Mortlock Islands,Papua New Guinea, 47 cm
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Three massive Sago Stirring implements, made from blackpalm with carved finials. Maprik Region, East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, 241 cm to 257 cm
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A monumental gable mask, with swirling incised design decorated with natural earth pigments. Sangriwa village, Blackwater river, Sepik Region,Papua New Guinea, 162 cm
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A framed set of New Guinea artefacts, including two cassowary bone daggers, a woven feather headdress and a kina shell necklace. Sepik river region,Papua New Guinea
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Geelvink Bay canoe prow, in the form of a figure surmounted by a frigate bird. Worn and with minor faults from use. West Papua, 48 cm
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Kwoma figure and Blackwater river mask, the figure being janus faced with two figurative hornbills on head. Made of light wood with minor marks from age. Poly chrome. The mask of woven cane construction with an elongated nose and traces of nature earth pigment. Sepik river and Blackwater river,Papua New Guinea, 56 cm and 63 cm
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Murik Lakes canoe prow, incised design with traces of red paint, marking as per image. Lower Sepik river region,Papua New Guinea, 36 cm
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Large Buka basket, finely woven cane with handle. Minor damage to rim. Bougainville Provine,Papua New Guinea, length 83 cm
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Wosera yam mask, woven cane decorated with natural ochres. East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, height 35 cm
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A pig Killing Apron and four 'Purses' for important Kina shells, [4], the purses made from bark and woven fibre, one decorated with red ochre, the apron of woven fibre and applied ochre with 12 hanging tassels. Highlands Region,Papua New Guinea, 12 cm to 23 cm, and 54 cm
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Malagan mask, ex. Sir Russell Drysdale Estate, in light wood extensively carved with two side panels and fibre hair, shell eyes. Side pieces have had dowelling inserts attached. A/F, New Ireland,Papua New Guinea, height 78 cm. Provenance: ex. Sir Russell Drysdale collection, purchased from the estate of Maisie Drysdale at John Williams Auctions, Sydney, 30th June, 2002. Original letter from John Williams enclosed.
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Wosera Bapa mask, finely woven cane mask decorated with natural ochres. Worn during the initiation ceremony for young men. East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, height 42 cm
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Smoking pipe, in the form of an ant eater with elongated snout and decorated with natural ochres. Patina on handle from use. Highlands Region,Papua New Guinea, 35 cm
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Three New Guinea pottery vessels, (3), a Koiwat bowl with incised design to base, visible repair, Sawos people, Sepik Plains, a Wosera bowl with incised design, Abelam region, and a Markham Valley bowl with incised design and two ancestral figures on rim, crack filled with acrylic glue. Marked 'Watuang 1969 -1 - 29'.Papua New Guinea, 24 cm, 20 cm and 26 cm
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Feather Headress, with cane interior framework and long flowing cassowary feathers.Papua New Guinea, 39 cm
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A collection of books on Oceanic and Asian Art
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A Malangan figure, profusely carved and decorated with polychrome designs, inset shell eyes and some remnant hair inserts. Base in the form of a lug for display during Malangan. Provenance: Stanley & Co. Auctioneers, Sydney, August 18, 2003, Lot 225, Robert Ypres, Art of man gallery, Paddington, 1989. Acquired from an expat Australian in the mid-1960's. Comes with a certificate issued by New Guinea arts. New Ireland,Papua New Guinea, 85 cm
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A Massim wave Splitter, incised and painted design. Damage to top. A/F, Trobriand Islands,Papua New Guinea. Provenance: New Guinea arts, Sydney. 55 cm
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A Ramu river flute mask, with incised design including a human face, lugs at top and bottom for binding to flute. Mounted on steel stand. Sepik Region,Papua New Guinea, 52 cm
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An ancestral bird figure, carved wood decorated with polychrome natural earth pigment design. On wooden base. Yamok village, Sepik river, East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, height 63 cm
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A wooden bowl, tapering at both ends to carved terminals. Some chipping. A/F, Murik Lakes, lower Sepik river region, East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, length 89 cm
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A Sago Stirring Implement and a Garamat drum Beater, both in hardwood with finely incised designs. Sepik river region, East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, 47 cm and 53 cm
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A Abelam clam shell Bride Price and a pair of boar's tusks (2), bride price of ground clam shell with traditional marking, boar's tusk bound with fibre binding. East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea. Diameter 10 cm
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Timbuwara figure, woven fibre and natural earth pigments, Highlands region,Papua New Guinea, 66 cm x 150 cm
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Timbuwarra figure, woven fibre and natural earth pigments, Highlands region,Papua New Guinea, 41 cm x 141 cm
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A Lumi war shield, with two fine anthropomorphic incised designs to face, Torricelli Mountains, Sandaun Province,Papua New Guinea, 122 cm
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A war shield, of oval form with a striking design in red, black and white, Southern Highlands Province,Papua New Guinea, 44 cm x 125 cm
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A war shield, with anthropomorphic design bisected by a central black painted ridge, Southern Highlands Province,Papua New Guinea, 42 cm x 144 cm
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A war shield, in oval form with symmetrical ochre painted design, Lai Valley, Southern Highlands,Papua New Guinea, 47 cm x 130 cm
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A war shield, with encrusted patina and circular ochre painted design. Woven binding to apex, Eastern Highlands,Papua New Guinea, 55 cm x 155 cm
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War shield, wood with ochre design to face. A/F, Highlands region,Papua New Guinea, 120 x 40 cm
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Bassa river shield, with a striking design of eight incised and painted spirals. Slight damage to apex. A/F. Provenance: ex. Todd Barlin, Brassa river, Asmat region, West Papua, 194 x 48 cm
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Old Asmat shield, with ray fish head and various iconography including flying fox design. Heavy wood. Some damage to head. A/F. Provenance: Ex. Todd Barlin, 185 x 66 cm
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Asmat shield, with ray fish head and lightening design incorporating flying foxes. Woven tassels affixed. Provenance: collected by Jim Elmslie, 1988, Asmat region, West Papua, 150 x 53 cm
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Telefomin war shield, with striking red, black and white design. Provenance: collected by a Burns Philip employee, Telefomin region, star Mountains,Papua New Guinea, 163 x 50 cm
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Two Abelam yam masks (2), woven fibre and natural earth pigments, Maprik region, East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, 32 cm and 34 cm
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A large yam mask, of woven fibre decorated with natural earth ochres. Used in the yam fertility ceremony, Maprik region, East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, 48 cm x 51 cm
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Two Abelam yam masks (2), woven fibre and natural earth ochres. Used in the yam fertility ceremony, Maprik region, East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, 33 cm and 44 cm
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A yam mask, woven fibre with natural earth pigments. Used to decorate yams during the yam fertility ceremony, Maprik region, East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, 42 cm x 45 cm
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A yam mask, of woven fibre decorated with natural earth pigments. Used to decorate yams during the yam fertility ceremony, Maprik region, East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, 32 cm x 40 cm
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Two dance masks (2), finely incised design and decorated with red ochre. A/F, lower Sepik river region, East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, 37 cm x 16 cm and 37 cm x 12 cm
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A Wuvulu Island bowl, in classic angular format. Mid-twentieth century. A/F, Wuvulu Island, East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, 28 cm x 50 cm
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A Wuvulu Island bowl, in rectangular format with straight sides and elegant curved base. Mid-twentieth century. A/F, Wuvulu Island, East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, 29 cm x 49 cm
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Two Abelam ancestral figures (2), carved in wood and decorated with polychrome natural earth pigments. A/F, Maprik region, East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, 67 cm and 89 cm
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Three New Guinea arm bands (3), two intricately incised turtle shell arm bands from the Sepik river region and a woven armband from the Mendi Valley,Papua New Guinea highlands. A/F,Papua New Guinea, 7 cm x 9 cm, 8 cm x 11 cm, 7 cm x 14 cm
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Murik Lakes canoe prow, profusely carved with main strong browed bust and prominant nose. Provenance: ex: Chris Boylan collection. Lower Sepik river region,Papua New Guinea, 65 x 35 cm
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Omie bark cloth, artist's name on back of tapa. Provenance: ex. David Baker collection, mount Lamington, Oro Province,Papua New Guinea, 172 x 148 cm
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Kap kap, carved clam shell with worked turtle shell inlay with fibre cord decorated with shells. A/F, Solomon Islands
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Kap kap, carved clam shell with fretwork turtle shell insert in the stylised form of a frigate bird. A/F, Solomon Islands
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Sepik ancestral hook, with a face to one side and a inset lug to rear for suspension. Unusual figure design on verso. Used to hang bilum bags away from the depredations of rats. Glossy patina. Provenance: ex. Christensen collection, 69 x 19 cm
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Waskuk ancestral carving, of unusual form with prominent visage, breasts and genitalia. Polychrome decoration with natural ochres. Provenance: Ex. Ron Perry, Waskuk region, upper Sepik river,Papua New Guinea, 117 x 28 cm
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Abelam bust, carved wood decorated with natural ochres. A/F. Provenance: ex. Gary Anderson with collection number, Maprik region, East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea, 32 x 13 cm
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Maramba ancestral mask, profusely carved and decorated with natural earth ochres and fibre tassels, and cowrie shell eyes. Provenance: ex. Collection of the University of New South Wales, Maramba village, Sepik river region,Papua New Guinea, 64 x 20 cm
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Hunstein Garra mask, carved in heavy hard wood with four protruding hooks and inset face decorated with natural earth ochres. Hunstein Ranges, upper Sepik river region,Papua New Guinea, 90 x 30 cm
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Trobriand Islands bowl figure, in classic squatting form with bowl. Incised design. Kiriwina, Trobriand Islands,Papua New Guinea. Diameter 12 x 36 cm
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Fiji kava bowl, with smooth patina mounted on multiple rounded leg supports. Fiji islands. Diameter 33 cm. Height 12 cm
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Three old Polynesian fans, showing good signs of use and working repairs. A/F, Polynesia, 33 x 28 cm
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Maori chief's staff, profusely carved in swirling motif both sides and tattooed faces to terminus. Some damage and chipping on terminus, traces of old lacquer. A/F. Provenance: Purchased from Senta Taft, at Galleries Primitif, Paddington, Sydney, circa 1970. New Zealand, 140 cm
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Maori hand club, in hard dark wood profusely carved with a diagonal pattern to both side. Terminus with incised face motif. Chips to one edge A/F. Provenance: Purchased from Senta Taft at Galleries Primitif, Paddington, Sydney, circa 1970. New Zealand, 41 cm
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Maori double flute, unusual form double flute with incised face motif on both terminals. Finely wrought fibre binding. Provenance: Purchased from Senta Taft at Galleries Primitif, Paddington circa 1970. New Zealand, 49 cm
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A Polynesian basalt pounder, in classic form. Early twentieth century. A/F, Tahiti, French Polynesia, 14 cm x 20 cm
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A Polynesian basalt pounder, in classic form. Early twentieth century. A/F, Tahiti, French Polynesia, 16 cm x 21 cm
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Dayak mask, with hinged lower jaw and faded paintwork, Borneo, Indonesia. Height 44 cm
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Dayak mask, with hinged lower jaw. Chips to paint work, A/F, Borneo, Indonesia. Height 23 cm
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Timor door panel, with engraved design to one side including hornbills, East Timor. Height 145 cm
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A Dyak ancestral figure, in hard dark wood with arms spread over torso. Chip to base.A/F. Borneo, Indonesia, 41 cm
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An elegant ancestral figure, with one arm crossed over torso. A/F. Flores Island, Indonesia, 83 cm
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Two rice Barn gable panels, decorated with chickens and curvilinear spiral design to base. One has crack near top. A/F. Mounted on steel stands. Saadan, Toraja, Sulawesi, Indonesia, height 90 cm and 107 cm
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Nine assorted spears (9), including two Aboriginal barbed spears, threePapua New Guinea hardwood spears and three spear portions, and an obsidian tipped New Britain spear with polychrome binding. A/F, 180 cm to 278 cm
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A Sulawesi garden marker, deeply weathered hardwood. A/F, Indonesia, 139 cm
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Two Indonesian ancestral figures (2), both in hard dark wood in squatting form. One on wooden mount, Lombok and Borneo, 12 cm and 13 cm
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Three bone Crosses, decorated with dot and circle design. Mounted on steel stand, Sumba, Indonesia, 8 cm to 10 cm
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A Indonesian Barang sword, plain steel blade secured to handle with white metal ferrule and wire binding. Hilt in the form of kakatua (cockatoo beak) in light coloured finely figured burlwood known as bunti, with carved protrusions, with wooden sheath (repaired). A/F, Borneo, Indonesia. Provenance: gift of the late Paul Coasack, originally bought back from Borneo after World War II by his uncle, surgeon Jim Russell, author of the book, 'Borneo Doctor'. 65 cm
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A Toraja sword, plain blade with some pitting, handle carved with chicken motif (adjoining circles), hilt with bands of fine plaited fibre, original wooden scabbard with rattan binding. Early twentieth century or nineteenth century, Sulawesi, Indonesia. Provenance: Daeng Iskander, Kerobakan, Bali, 68 cm
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A Kujang sword, with elaborate blade having protrusions, engraved and pierced, hilt of hardwood. Weapons such as this are said to have magical powers (ref. Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago), Java, Indonesia. Provenance: Peter Lane gallery, 1995, 58 cm
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Two ancestral carvings, an Abelam ancestral figure A/F, and an Abelam incised wooden board. A/F. East Sepik Province,Papua New Guinea
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BulBul figure, of a man in a squatting position, encrusted patina with chips to base A/F. Philippines
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