Full details of each lot are displayed, except the lot number, estimate and price. You must be a subscriber to view lot numbers, estimates and prices.

Click here to view registration and subscription levels

Fine Aboriginal & Oceanic Art — Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Auction House:Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & ValuersNumber of lots recorded:304
Sale Title:Fine Aboriginal & Oceanic ArtLots with images:297
Auction Location:SydneyPrices available:243
Date:10-Sep-2017
***
Two short Aboriginal spears, with metal blades attached with fibre binding and decorated with ochres, Northern Australia, length 125 cm
***
***
***
A collection of twenty Central Australia carvings from the late 1960's, including carved animals, clubs, musical clap sticks, length 14 - 75 cm
***
***
***
Four artefacts, Tiwi bird carving, Arnhem Land figure & two others, including a small Tiwi bird carving a small Arnhem land figure, another small figure (probably Dayak) & a coconut & shell ornament, Ex Ruth collection Papua New Guinea 1970's, length 7 - 21 cm
***
***
***
A Gulmari child's shield, with painted design to face and verso, Queensland, Australia, 34 cm
***
***
***
A child's shield, with faded ochre design to face and verso, Western Australia, height 36 cm
***
***
***
A didgeridoo, decorated with ochre designs in the form of turtles and a crocodile, Arnhem Land, Northern Australia, length 145 cm
***
***
***
An Aboriginal wooden fish hook, with remnant fibre cord and bone barb, north Queensland, length 40 cm
***
***
***
A pair of Aboriginal stone knives, c. Mid-20th century, finely flaked stone knives with spinifex resin handgrips. Provenance: Private Collection, 9 x 8.5 cm
***
***
***
A collection of seven Sepik river area carvings, including masks, a figure, a comb and a fine Kambot village story board, Ex Ruth collection Papua New Guinea 1970's, length 16 - 51 cm
***
***
***
A collection of seven carvings, including six Papua New Guinea masks and a Bali Island Borong mask, Ex Ruth collection Papua New Guinea 1970's
***
***
***
A finely carved Massim drum, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea, height 47 cm
***
***
***
A large coastal Sepik mask, finely carved with a bird totem on the forehead & a dog totem coming out of the mouth, Ex Ruth collection Papua New Guinea 1970's, length 66 cm
***
***
***
Ten old trade pipes from Papua New Guinea, these were highly prized trade items in the early 20th century., European clay, Meacham & wood pipes were high status objects that the senior old men had and used. the two Meacham pipes in their custom made boxes were collected on the north Coast of New Guinea during World War I, Ex Ruth collection, length 8 - 27 cm
***
***
***
A Buka Island portrait figure, with glossy black patina and head covering, Buka Island, Papua New Guinea, height 48 cm
***
***
***
A crocodile head, in good condition with teeth and fitted eyes, Sepik river, Papua New Guinea, 37 x 10 x 15 cm
***
***
***
A crocodile head, in good condition with teeth and glass eyes, Sepik river, Papua New Guinea, 37 x 12 x 13 cm
***
***
***
A crocodile head, in good condition with teeth and glass eyes, Sepik river, Papua New Guinea, 38 x 11 x 14 cm
***
***
***
A graduated set of four large food platters, one with cracks to handles on either side, with incised design to rims, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea, length 56 - 76 cm
***
***
***
A hardwood staff, profusely carved and inlaid design of mother of pearl shell, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea, length 79 cm
***
***
***
A lime spatula and club, the lime spatula from the Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea, with carved handle; the Fijian throwing club with woven fibre covering over handle, Papua New Guinea and Fiji, length 31 - 43 cm
***
***
***
A dog tooth Headband, with dogs teeth woven into a fibre backing with cords, circa 1970's, Highlands region, Papua New Guinea, length 30 cm [body]
***
***
***
An African mask, with incised design in symmetrical form, Africa, length 25 cm
***
***
***
A Dogon female ancestral figure, in classic form, arms raised above head, with crusty patina, Dogon people, Mali, Africa, height 33 cm
***
***
***
A Lega ivory mask, this Lega mask is known as lukungu lwa tata, which literally means 'Skull of My Father'. on fitted metal stand, Democratic Republic of Congo. Provenance: Xanadu gallery, San Francisco 1980/90s, South American Private Collector, height 15.5 cm
***
***
***
An elongated African bronze mask, on fitted metal stand. Provenance: Xanadu gallery, San Francisco 1980/90s, south American Private Collector, height 23 cm
***
***
***
A Benin bronze Bearded mask, on fitted metal stand, Nigeria. Provenance: Xanadu gallery, San Francisco 1980/90s, south American Private Collector, height 15 cm
***
***
***
An Benin bronze mask, on fitted metal stand, Nigeria. Provenance: Xanadu gallery, San Francisco 1980/90s, south American Private Collector, height 14 cm
***
***
***
A carved and painted West African Panu mask, the female mask with a jutting jaw and protruding lips, painted with thick white pigment, mounted on fitted metal stand, Gabon. Provenance: Xanadu gallery, San Francisco 1980/90s, south American Private Collector, height 35 cm
***
***
***
A large Helmut mask, with residue of pigment, on fitted metal stand, West Africa. Provenance: Xanadu gallery, San Francisco 1980/90s, south American Private Collector, height 40, D 30 cm
***
***
***
Carved ebony African head. Provenance: south American Private Collector, height 34 cm
***
***
***
A deep African ladle, finely carved in hard wood on a fitted metal stand. Provenance: Xanadu gallery, San Francisco 1980/90s, south American Private Collector, height 22 cm
***
***
***
A Dinka Parrying shield, with inset handle and surface showing wear and signs of use, Dinka people, Sudan, length 81 cm
***
***
***
A Slit gong drum with Prominent finial, Benin, finial in the form of an ancestral bust, on a fitted metal stand, Benin, Nigeria. Provenance: Xanadu gallery, San Francisco 1980/90s, south American Private Collector, H
***
***
***
A Lobi ancestral figure, in heavy wood, some damage to hands A/F, height 78 cm
***
***
***
A pair of West African ladles, in mock colonial form, West Africa, length 37 cm
***
***
***
A Nigerian Ikat Dyed Indigo blanket, Nigeria
***
***
***
Two Dyed Yoruba Indigo Fabrics, Nigeria
***
***
***
An African mask, with carved visage and hair tassels, Ghana, Africa, length 33 cm
***
***
***
Carved ivory tusk, profusely carved with multiple figures in spiralling design, Loanga Coast, Angola, Africa, length 39 cm
***
***
***
West African ivory head, carved in realistic style with symbolic facial markings, West Coast, Africa, 13 x 10 x 4 cm
***
***
***
A Lega ivory figure, stained with palm oil to give dark patina, collected in 1950's, Congo, Africa. Provenance: on document, height 21 cm
***
***
***
A Nepalese ancestral mask, in angular form with prominent nose, carved wood with an ancestral design based on traditional animist beliefs, influenced by Buddhism and Hinduism, Nepal. Provenance: Purchased in Kathmandu from local dealer Binod Khanal, length 27 cm
***
***
***
A Nepalese ancestral mask, with chip to lower lip, carved wood with an ancestral design based on traditional animist beliefs, influenced by Buddhism and Hinduism, Nepal. Provenance: Purchased in Kathmandu from local dealer Binod Khanal, length 30 cm
***
***
***
Two Nepalese ancestral masks, with mother of pearl inlay, carved wood with an ancestral design based on traditional animist beliefs, influenced by Buddhism and Hinduism, Nepal. Provenance: Purchased in Kathmandu from local dealer Binod Khanal, length 25.5 cm
***
***
***
A Nepalese ancestral mask, with carved head piece, carved wood with an ancestral design based on traditional animist beliefs, influenced by Buddhism and Hinduism, Nepal. Provenance: Purchased in Kathmandu from local dealer Binod Khanal, length 24 cm
***
***
***
A Nepalese ancestral mask, with grinning visage, carved wood with an ancestral design based on traditional animist beliefs, influenced by Buddhism and Hinduism, Nepal. Provenance: Purchased in Kathmandu from local dealer Binod Khanal, length 25 cm
***
***
***
A Nepalese ancestral mask, with flared nostrils, carved wood with an ancestral design based on traditional animist beliefs, influenced by Buddhism and Hinduism, Nepal. Provenance: Purchased in Kathmandu from local dealer Binod Khanal, length 24 cm
***
***
***
A Nepalese ancestral mask, wear on ridge of nose, carved wood with an ancestral design based on traditional animist beliefs, influenced by Buddhism and Hinduism, Nepal. Provenance: Purchased in Kathmandu from local dealer Binod Khanal, length 31 cm
***
***
***
A Nepalese ancestral mask, moustache with hair, carved wood with an ancestral design based on traditional animist beliefs, influenced by Buddhism and Hinduism, Nepal. Provenance: Purchased in Kathmandu from local dealer Binod Khanal, length 30 cm
***
***
***
A Nepalese ancestral mask, with pursed lips, carved wood with an ancestral design based on traditional animist beliefs, influenced by Buddhism and Hinduism, Nepal. Provenance: Purchased in Kathmandu from local dealer Binod Khanal, length 24.5 cm
***
***
***
A Nepalese ancestral mask, with fangs, chip to lower front rim, carved wood with an ancestral design based on traditional animist beliefs, influenced by Buddhism and Hinduism, Nepal. Provenance: Purchased in Kathmandu from local dealer Binod Khanal, length 24 cm
***
***
***
An early stone ritual axe, stone blade attached with intricate binding of fabric and resin, wooden handle with old patina, origin unknown, length 38 cm
***
***
***
A ceremonial mask, 'Waken', collected in early 1970s, Yensinmungua village, middle Sepik, 41 x 31 cm
***
***
***
Three Abelam figures, collected early 1970s, Western Wosera Region, Papua New Guinea, height 56 - 60 cm
***
***
***
An ancestor figure with bowl on head, fine engraved detail, middle Sepik river, Papua New Guinea, height 50 cm
***
***
***
A shell pectoral, shell waist band & Bride Price, Avatip, upper & middle Sepik, Papua New Guinea, length 56 - 64 cm
***
***
***
A woven pig, flute stopper, two ancestor figures & a mask, Chambri Lakes, Papua New Guinea, length 26 - 35 cm
***
***
***
A cult figure, collected early 1970s, Karawari river, middle Sepik, height 38 cm
***
***
***
Four figures, Massim, Trobriand Islands, height 18 - 35 cm
***
***
***
Eleven various figures, human, pig & Spatulas, mostly made of ebony, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea, length 8 - 39 cm
***
***
***
One finger drum, two betel mortar & Pestles, Trobriand Islands, length 27 - 37 cm
***
***
***
An old adze with a large ebony figure, Trobriand Islands, length 27 - 45 cm
***
***
***
An Asmat men's paddle, with woven fibre sleeve, adorned with white feathers, Asmat Region, West Papua, length 350 cm
***
***
***
A Sepik ancestral figure, in squatting form, decorated with cowrie shells & human hair, middle Sepik river, Papua New Guinea, height 99 cm
***
***
***
A Mina figure, with faded ochre decoration, on steel and wood custom stand, remnant ochre decoration, some cracks & chipping A/F, height 160 cm
***
***
***
A war shield, praying mantus design incised and decorated with natural ochres, Asmat Region, West Papua, length 132 cm
***
***
***
A Sepik ancestral figure, in dark heavy wood, decorated with natural ochres, Timbunke village, Sepik river, Papua New Guinea, height 50 cm
***
***
***
Two Aibom pots, with ancestral faces and ochre decoration, Chambri Lakes Region, Papua New Guinea, height 19 & 18 cm
***
***
***
A Mina cult figure, heavily weathered, some damage to face as per image, phallic nose, Kwoma people, upper Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea, height 96 cm
***
***
***
A Sepik ancestral figure, male ancestral figure surmounted by a bird, heavily weathered, some chips and cracks A/F, Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea, height 98 cm
***
***
***
A Gope board, incised design, decorated with natural ochres, Papuan Gulf Region, Papua New Guinea, height 99 cm
***
***
***
An adze & a mallet, adze with steel blade & carved handle, mallet with incised design, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea, length 29 & 35 cm
***
***
***
Three Shrimp Nets, with cane frame and woven natural fibre netting, Sepik river Region, Papua New Guinea, length 91 cm
***
***
***
A Highway Meri, figure of a woman with arms and legs akimbo, painted with ochres and decorated with tassels, middle Sepik river region, Papua New Guinea, 94 x 37 cm
***
***
***
An Abelam house lintel, profusely carved with four ancestral busts, birds and other figures, decorated with natural ochres, Abelam people, Maprik region, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, length 247 cm
***
***
***
A New Ireland wedding hat, made from tapa cloth incorporating a pair of boar's tusks on woven binding, New Ireland region, Papua New Guinea, diameter 36 cm
***
***
***
An Asmat Bis pole, hardwood, traditionally placed in ground as part of the mortuary ceremony, Asmat region, West Papua, height 373 cm
***
***
***
An impressive Abelam figure, carved in hard wood with stylised beard and headdress, surmounted by a bird figure, Maprik region, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, height 236 cm
***
***
***
A woven boar, of hand woven natural fibre string on a rattan cane framework made by women, Tambanum village, Sepik river, Papua New Guinea, length 58 cm
***
***
***
A Papuan Gulf figure, with arms joined to body at waist, incised design painted with natural ochres, Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea, length 84 cm
***
***
***
A box of crocodile teeth, with one large profusely carved crocodile tooth, Sepik region, Papua New Guinea, length 12 cm [carved]
***
***
***
A shell wealth disc, of worn appearance, collected in 1970's, Solomon Islands, length 17 cm
***
***
***
Two modern Papua New Guinea pottery vessels, with traditional designs including an ancestral figure and a crocodile, with partially legible inscription to base ' 87 H. Jinei Maree(?)', Papua New Guinea, 10 x 15 cm [largest]
***
***
***
A Massim Splashboard, with intricate sweeping design to top decorated with store paints, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea. Provenance: D.G. Mills, Sanaroa Plantation, Welles Island, 1970s, 55 x 46 cm
***
***
***
A Massim Splashboard, profusely carved with traditional designs and decorated with store paint, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea. Provenance: D.G. Mills, Sanaroa Plantation, Welles Island, 1970s, 55 x 46 cm
***
***
***
A Massim wave Splitter, in classic form with intricate carved design decorated with store paint, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea. Provenance: D.G. Mills, Sanaroa Plantation, Welles Island, 1970s, 38 x 18 cm
***
***
***
A framed set of three spear tips, of woven fibre construction incorporating multiple shark tooth barbs, Gilbert Islands, 69 x 46 x 7 cm [frame]
***
***
***
A framed set of three fighting swords, of wood and fibre design incorporating multiple shark tooth barbs, Gilbert Islands, 51 x 105 cm
***
***
***
A small Garamat drum, of slit gong construction with two prominent carved finials and traditional designs inscribed into sides, Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea, 25 x 67 x 16 cm
***
***
***
A stuffed crocodile, poised to strike with open jaw, Sepik river, Papua New Guinea, length 117 cm
***
***
***
A woven Helmut mask, 'Baba', finely woven, with strong vertical profile; painted in yellow and white ochres, with a cassowary feather headdress. Used in ceremonial dancing at important rituals, Southern Abelam people, Wosera, Sepik region, Papua New Guinea, 57 x 26 x 39 cm
***
***
***
A woven Helmut mask, 'Baba', finely woven, with strong vertical profile; painted in red and blue ochres, with a cassowary feather headdress. Used in ceremonial dancing at important rituals, Southern Abelam people, Wosera, Sepik region, Papua New Guinea, 57 x 26 x 45 x 30 x 25 cm
***
***
***
A human hair wig, a fully decorated man's wig with a large central cassowary feather top knot. Also decorated with cuscus fur, scarab beetle carapaces, parrot and cassowary feathers. These wigs are worn by Big Men in ceremony, Wahgi Valley, Western Highlands Papua New Guinea, 55 x 63 29 cm
***
***
***
A giant clamshell ring, 'Yua', a very large Yua, with perfect circular centre, decorated with fine and carefully graded nassa shells, woven onto a fibre band. These are used as currency and are very valuable; particularly important in bride price transactions, Prince Alexander mountains, Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea, diameter 27 cm
***
***
***
A giant clamshell ring, 'Yua', a very large Yua, with perfect circular centre; this shell ring is particularly thick, adding to its inherent value. These are used as currency and are very valuable; particularly important in bride price transactions, Prince Alexander Mountains, Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea, diameter 24 cm
***
***
***
A giant Clamshell ring, 'Yua', a large YUA, with perfect circular centre, decorated with fine and carefully graded nassa shells, woven onto a fibre band. This YUA also has the cut designs on one edge, sometimes interpreted as the hornbill beak. These are used as currency and are very valuable; particularly important in bride price transactions, Prince Alexander mountains, Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea, diameter 21 cm
***
***
***
A large dance headdress 'Rimbu Indali', this headdress covers the top half of the dancer's head, with earrings and 'Eyes' at the front. Large black eagle feathers complete the headdress. Usually many men would dance together with these headdresses - all slightly different - to give thanks to the spirits who look after fertility and human welfare, stand not included, Imbonggu tribe, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea, 52 x 18 x 42 cm
***
***
***
A collection of sixteen tribal Catalogues from Sotherby's, Dating back to the early 1990's
***
***
***
A box of 'The World of Tribal Art' Magazines
***
***
***
A volume: 'Art of the Dreamtime,' by Dorothy Bennet, c.1962-64 together with a 20th century boomerang, Kodansha press, Japan, limited edition no. 165/600, in mint unopened condition with original wrapping, length 49 cm [boomerang]
***
***