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Fine Tribal, Aboriginal Art & International Antiquities — Guy Earl-Smith & Antiquity

Auction House:Guy Earl-Smith & AntiquityNumber of lots recorded:398
Sale Title:Fine Tribal, Aboriginal Art & International AntiquitiesLots with images:392
Auction Location:SydneyPrices available:144
Date:17-Aug-2008
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A Rare Bronze Ordos Saddle Ornament, c.1st Mill BC, in diminutive form of a secular section with bull visage at centre, verdigris below smooth patina, Northern Zone, Eastern Steppe, Mongolia, 6 cm
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A Rare Bronze Ordos Saddle Ornament, c.1st Mill BC, in the form of an openwork ram, some verdigris below smooth patina, Northern Zone, Eastern Steppe, Mongolia, 6 cm
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A Rare Bronze Ordos Saddle Ornament, c.1st Mill BC, in the form of an openwork ram, some verdigris below smooth patina, Northern Zone, Eastern Steppe, Mongolia, 5 cm
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Two Rare Bronze Ordos Earrings, c.1st Mill BC, in classic abstract form, some verdigris below smooth patina, Northern Zone, Eastern Steppe, Mongolia, 2-3 cm (2)
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Two Rare Bronze Ordos Saddle Ornaments, c.1st Mill BC, in the form of a bull, verdigris below smooth patina, Northern Zone, Eastern Steppe, Mongolia, 2 cm (2)
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A Superb Indus Valley Ceramic Vessel, Nindowari, c.2300-2000BC, of large proportions decorated with curvilinear and figuratifs motifs, tribal glyphs, pipal trees and tethered bulls in mineral earth pigments, old encrustations, intact and stable, 30 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection Note: This lot is sold with an authenticating Thermoluminescence Dating Report, Test No. W4132, University of Wollongong, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences Reference: c.f. Bahn 1992: ...' The Indus…
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A Fine Indus Valley Ceramic Vessel, Nindowari, c. 2300-2000 BC, decorated with curvilinear and figurative motifs of pipal trees in mineral earth pigments, old encrustations, some loss to outer rim, otherwise intact and stable, 15 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection
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A Fine Indus Valley Ceramic Vessel, Mehrgarh, 3300-3000 BC, decorated with geometric motifs in polychrome mineral earth pigments beneath old encrustations, very minor losses evident, fine Hairline fracture, 16 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection
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A Rare Indus Valley Shell Armband (Harappan), c.2000 BC, the marine gastropod section incised with linear bands, old encrustations below smooth patina, 9 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection
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A fine Indus Valley sculpture (Mohenjodaro), c.3rd Millennium BC, in the form of a Zebu bull, decorated with linear motifs in mineral earth pigments, minor loss to one leg and horn
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A Fine Indus Valley Sculpture (Mohenjodaro), c. 3rd Mill BC, in the form of a Zebu bull, decorated with linear motifs in mineral earth pigments, minor loss to one horn, 8 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection
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A Fine Indus Valley Ceramic Sculpture (Mehrgarh), c.4th Mill BC, of museum quality in the form of a female deity, remnant mineral earth pigments, 13 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection Note: For a similar example c.f. Agora Auctions, Drout-Richelieu Paris, curated by M. Chakib Slitine, 8 Dec. 2003, Art du Gandahara, Archeologie, Art Islamique
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A Fine Indus Valley Ceramic Sculpture (Mehrgarh), c.4th Mill BC, of museum quality and rare large proportions, in the form of a female deity, rejoined, 21 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection Note: For a similar example c.f. Agora Auctions, Drout-Richelieu Paris, curated by M. Chakib Slitine, 8 Dec. 2003, Art du Gandahara, Archeologie, Art Islamique
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A Rare Indus Valley Ceramic Sculpture (Naushano), c. 3rd Mill BC, in the form of an avian deity, surface encrustations, re-joined, 13 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection Note: For a similar example c.f. Agora Auctions, Drout-Richelieu Paris, curated by M. Chakib Slitine, 8 Dec. 2003, Art du Gandahara, Archeologie, Art Islamique
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A Superb Bactrian Marble Challis, c. 3rd Mill. BC, the tapering base below a conical bowl, smooth patina, old encrustations, minor losses, intact 18 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection Reference: c.f. Bahn 1992: ...'The Bactrian Bronze Age...a culture, initially identified from...graves in northwestern Afghanistan ...that produced a range of materials (pottery, seals and other metal work, ornamented stone vessels, stone statuettes and other materials) which are strongly represented in Baluchistan…
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A Fine Bactrian Alabaster Vessel, c.3-2nd Mill.Bc, of diminutive form, the tapering conical body above a sectioned base, smooth patina, remnant encrustations, rejoined, 10 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection
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A Bactrian Grey Stone Sculpture, c.2nd Mill. BC, in the form of a bird with geometric motifs in relief, possibly used as a seal, Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex, 6 x 4 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection
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A Rare Bactrian Ceramic Sculpture, c. 2nd Mill BC, in the form of an anthropomorph, loss to one leg, surface encrustations, re-joined, 18 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection
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A Rare Gangetic Valley Copper Alloy Celt, c. 1,500-1000 BC, Copper Hoard Culture, the irregular rectangular blade with edge ground apex and slight flaring to base, verdigris encrusted, weathered patina, Uttar Pradesh, 13 x 12 cm Provenance: from an Australian collection
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A Superb Persian ceramic bowl, c.12-13th century, in conical form, high fired with translucent glaze, the interior decorated with calligraphy in dark brown glaze, 21 x 7 cm
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A Fine Nishapur Ceramic Bowl, c.10th century, high fired with translucent brown glaze, the interior decorated with polychrome figurative and stippled motifs, intact, Iran, 14 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection
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A fine Islamic bronze oil lamp, c.10-13th century, the open spout with bulbous bowl above a raised circular base and projecting circular grip, verdigris encrusted, Greater Persia, 15 cm.
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A Superb Mandaean Incantation Ceramic Bowl, c.5th-7th Century AD, of circular conical form the inside surface inscribed with Aramaic text in mineral earth pigments below surface encrustations, Middle East, 27 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection
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A Fine Qajar Ceramic Tile, c.19th century of polychrome glaze depicting a nobleman within a floral surround, Persia, 33 x 24 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection; Ex-collection Dr Paul Otto Taubert
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A Rare Amlash Bronze Bridle Bit, c.1st Mill BC, in articulated form, verdigris encrusted, Northern Iran 17 cm
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A Fine Bronze Shiite Standard (hallam), c.19-20th century, of openwork with lion head projections, smooth patina, remnant verdigris, old repair at apex, Iran, 39 x 20 cm
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A Rare Sissanian Rock Crystal Seal, c.5-7th Century AD, in classis diminuitive form, inscribed with the motif of the bull and ancient text, Persia, 3 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection
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A Rare Sissanian Rock Crystal Seal, c.5-7th Century AD, in classis diminuitive form, inscribed with the figure of a bearded man and ancient text, Persia, 3 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection
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A Collection Of Three Islamic Perfume Bottles, 10-13th Century, the diminutive translucent blue glass, bulbous bases with projecting necks, remnant encrustations, smooth patina, Greater Persia, 4-6 cm (3) Provenance: From an Australian collection
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A Fine Roman Glass Perfume Bottle, c.1st-2nd Century AD, of diminutive form, the bulbous body above a short extended bowl at base with projecting rimmed neck, old encrustations, intact, 9 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection
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A Fine Roman Glass Perfume Bottle, c.1st-2nd century AD, of diminutive form, the bulbous body with extended neck and flaring lip at apex, the glass with polychrome iridescence, remnant encrustations, intact, 11 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection
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A Persian Glass Vessel, c. 4-5th Century, the ovoid body surmounted by a tall, tapering neck, superb iridescence, intact, 5 cm Provenance: From and Australian collection
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A Collection Of Seven Roman Medical Instruments, c.1st-4th Century AD, of bronze in various forms including tweezers, verdigris encrusted, presented in a display frame, 28 x 28 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection
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A Collection Of Five Roman Medical Instruments, c.1st-4th Century AD, of bronze in various forms including a needle, verdigris encrusted, presented in a display frame, 37 x 29 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection
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A Collection Of Five Roman Bronze Medical Instruments, c.1st-4th Century AD, of bronze on various forms including a spoon, verdigris encrusted, presented in a display frame, Levant, frame 31 x 28 cm Provenance: from an Australian collection
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A Collection Of Fine Persian Beads, temporarily strung on fibre twine, including lapis, glass, stone and turquoise, 66 cm
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A Collection Of Fine Persian Beads, temporarily strung on fibre twine, including lapis, glass, stone and turquoise, 64 cm
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A Collection Of Roman, Egyptian And Islamic Beads, c.600 BC-14th Century AD, temporarily strung, including faience, glass and stone, 66 cm
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A Collection Of Roman, Egyptian And Islamic Beads, c.600 BC-14th Century AD, temporarily strung, including faience, glass and stone, 58 cm
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A Collection Of Roman, Egyptian And Islamic Beads, c.600 BC-14th Century AD, temporarily strung, including faience, glass and stone, 59 cm
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A Collection Of Roman, Egyptian And Islamic Beads, c.600 BC-14th Century AD, temporarily strung, including faience, glass and stone, 58 cm
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A Fine Collection Of Islamic Beads, c.19th century, of polychrome glass, Egypt, 40 cm
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A Collection Of Egyptian Beads, c. 2nd Mill BC-20th Century AD, sourced form the river Nile sediment deposits 66 cm
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A Fine Collection Of Wound Glass Islamic Beads, c. 10-13th Century AD, temporarily strung on cotton thread, Greater Persia
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A Collection Of Roman Glass And Stone Beads, c. 2nd Mill BC-4th Century AD, of various shapes with central bronze amulet, temporarily strung, 52 cm
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A Collection Of Sa-Huynh Culture Glass Beads, c. 5th Century BC, temporarily strung on modern twine, the polychrome glass paste beads including some smaller modern beads, 32 cm
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A Tongan headrest, 19th century, of wood, the slender section rectangular rest with graceful curve and medial ridge to base, above two bowed bipod supports with flaring terminals, bound with woven sennit and stabilised with wood wedges, fine smooth glossy patina, 48 x 14 cm
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A Fine New Caledonian Ceremonial Mace, the pierced edge ground green stone disk above a split wooden shaft bound with woven fibre and decorated with cowrie shell mounted to a block platform 28 x 13 cm Provenance: *see below
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An Ethnographic Massim Lime Spatula, of wood in classic slender section, the apex decorated with openwork figurative ancestor motifs, use wear evident, smooth glossy patina, Trobriand Islands, 43 x 5 cm
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An Ethnographic Massim Lime Spatula, of wood in slender section, the apex with classic opposing ancestor motifs, remnant white pigment infill, usewear evident, smooth glossy patina, Trobriand Islands, 33 x 3 cm Provenance: *see below
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An ethnographic Massim Lime Spatula, of wood in slender section, the apex with classic openwork opposing ancestor motifs, remnant white pigment infill, usewear evident, smooth glossy patina, Trobriand Islands, 38 x 4 cm.
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An ethnographic Massim Lime Spatula, of wood in slender section, the apex with classic openwork opposing ancestor motifs, remnant white pigment infill, usewear evident, smooth glossy patina, Trobriand Islands, 22 x 3 cm.
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An Ethnographic Massim Lime Spatula, of wood in classic slender section, the apex decorated with openwork geometric ancestor motifs, remnant white pigment infill, usewear evident, smooth glossy patina, Trobriand Islands, 31 x 4 cm
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Two ethnographic Massim Lime Spatulas, of wood in classic slender section, the apex decorated with openwork figurative ancestor motifs, remnant white pigment infill, usewear evident, smooth glossy patina, one rejoined at apex, Trobriand Islands, 48-52 cm (2).
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A Fine And Early Massim Walking Stick, of wood in slender tapering circular section, decorated with classic figurative ancestor motifs, smooth glossy patina, Trobriand Islands, 91 x 5 cm Provenance: *see below
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A fine and early Massim walking stick, of wood in slender tapering circular section, decorated with classic figurative ancestor motifs, smooth glossy patina, Trobriand Islands, 87 x 5 cm.
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A Fine And Early Massim Walking Stick, of wood in slender tapering circular section, decorated with classic figurative ancestor motifs, smooth glossy patina, Trobriand Islands, 77 x 3 cm Provenance: *see below
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An Early Ethnographic Sepik Food Hook, of wood, stone shaped, in classic robust diminutive form, the tapering ovoid section notched shaft above a stout double-sided hook base and pierced terminal, smooth glossy patina,Papua New Guinea, 33 x 16 cm Provenance: *see below
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A collection of three Ethnographic Santa Cruz hair Combs, the multi-spined wooden spikes bound with fine polychrome cane, Solomon Islands, 15-19 cm (3)
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Two Ethnographic Santa Cruz hair Combs, the multi-spined wooden spikes bound with fine cane, Solomon Islands, 37-38 cm (2)
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An Ethnographic Massim Sago Scoop, of wood, the circular section shaft decorated with incised motifs above a narrow projecting terminal, old sennit binding attached, smooth glossy patina, Trobriand Islands, 59 x 5 cm Provenance: *see below
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A fine ceremonial kava bowl, of wood, in large format, the deep circular bowl with wide lip above four tapering circular section legs, smooth patina, use and wear evident, Fiji, 68 x 19 cm, restoration to legs
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A Rare Patrol Officer's Club, the weighted wooden shaft with leather binding, smooth glossy patina,Papua New Guinea, 43 x 4 cm Provenance: *see below. Note: These clubs were issued to the police force in New Guinea during the 1940s.
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A fine Polynesian flute, the hollow enclosed bamboo tube with pierced circular openings decorated with incised geometric motifs and script, smooth glossy patina, 60 x 5 cm
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A Collection Of Four Oceanic Artefacts, of wood, cane, bone and shell including a comb, spear point, cannibal fork and a knife, 20-26 cm (4)
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Two Fine Mt Hagen Ceremonial Axes, the wooden frames bound with woven polychrome cane, one with edge ground stone blade intact, smooth patina, 73 cm (2)
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A fine South Pentecost Island ancestor mask, c.pre-1930s, of wood in classic abstract form with pierced eyes nose and mouth, the bulbous forehead below a raised apex, projecting grip at terminal, deep concavity to rear, smooth glossy patina, New Hebrides, 40 x 12 cm
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A fine Maori canoe bailer, revival sculpture, of wood in classic ovoid form with projecting grip, decorated with ancestor motifs and shell inlay, smooth glossy patina, New Zealand, 47 x 25 cm
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A Superb Massim Sculpture, of wood in the form of a female ancestor, decorated with incised geometric motifs infilled with lime, smooth glossy patina, Trobriand Islands, 56 x 14 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection Note: Figurative sculpture from this region is rare, for a similar example c.f. Beran, H.1996, Mutuaga; A 19th century New Guinea Master Carver, University of Wollongong Press, Nsw, Australia, p.225 plate 77
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A Superb Malagan Sculpture, of wood, the architectural element with the anterior with two opposing lizards in relief with stylised fish head terminals, decorated with polychrome pigments, inlaid operculum, New Island, Bismarck Archipelago, 244 x 28 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection, ex-collection J.P. Hallinan inscribed with cat.ref. H1237
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A fine Admiralty Island obsidian dagger, the flaked vitreous stone blade hafted to a resin grip, decorated with incised geometric motifs and polychrome pigments, 25 x 5 cm
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An Early Mailata Battle Club, c.19-20th Century, the tapering ovoid section wood shaft with notched grip terminal below flaring ridges at apex, surmounted with an iron axe blade, smooth glossy patina, Solomon Islands, 89 x 12 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection, ex-collection Galeries Primitif
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A fine Solomon Island Parrying club, of wood, the classic crescent blade with raised medial ridge and geometric motifs above a tapering shaft with sectioned terminal, smooth patina, 162 x 15 cm.
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An early Fijian throwing club, of wood in classic diminutive form with bulbous apex above a tapering circular sectioned shaft, smooth patina, 37 x 7 cm.
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An Ethnographic New Hebrides Club, c.19th century, of wood in minimalist form, the curved circular section tapering shaft with flaring apex, usewear evident, smooth glossy patina, 63 x 7 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection
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A late ethnographic Massim splash board (Fergusson Island), of wood the anterior decorated with classic curvilinear geometric motifs in relief, remnant polychrome pigments and oil based paints, Trobriand Islands, 45 x 45 cm
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A late ethnographic Massim canoe prow (Fergusson Island), of wood decorated with curvilinear motifs, remnant polychrome pigments, Trobriand Islands, 42 x 17 cm.
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A Mortlock Island Fish Hook, c.1960s, of wood, with fibre binding, 81 x 10xm Provenance: From an Australian collection
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A Late Ethnographic Massim Adze, the wooden shaft decorated with figurative motifs in relief and pierced terminal, the fibre bound edge ground stone blade, smooth patina, Trobriand Islands, 44 x 23 cm
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A Late Ethnographic Massim Adze, c. 1960s, of wood with projecting metal blade hafted with fibre binding, Trobriand Islands, 44 x 22 cm
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A ceremonial Massim sago spatula (Goodenough Island), of wood in ovoid section and slender form, decorated with ancestor motifs, smooth patina, usewear evident, Trobriand Islands, 98 x 12 cm
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A late ethnographic Milne Bay Province Lime Spatula, of split bone, the shaft tapering to a fine point, the apex decorated with threaded polychrome glass bead ornaments, smooth glossy patina, usewear evident, Trobriand Islands, 27 x 2 cm.
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Two Massim Lime Spatulas (Goodenough Island), of wood decorated with classic incised geometric motifs infilled with white pigment, usewear evident, smooth glossy patina, Trobriand Islands, 30-34 cm (2) Provenance: From an Australian collection
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Two Massim Lime Spatulas (Fergusson Island), of wood decorated with classic incised geometric motifs infilled with white pigment, usewear evident, smooth glossy patina, Trobriand Islands,42-48 cm (2) Provenance: From an Australian collection
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A fine Melanesian body ornament, the black lip pearl shell section with fibre threaded shell beads and seed attachments
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A fine Buka Island basket, of woven cane, smooth glossy patina, 49 x 44 cm
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An Ethnographic Telephomin Shield, of wood, the anterior decorated with geometric motifs in relief, polychrome pigments, pierced with old cane grip to rear,Papua New Guinea,156 x 52 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection, ex-collection Walter Boehing, the late director of the Heidelberg Anthropological Museum
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A fine Southern Highlands war shield (mendi), of wood, in broad rectangular form, the anterior with raised medial ridge and decorated with stippled motifs and polychrome pigments imbedded with old arrow heads, pierced with fibre grip at rear, projecting spike apex, smooth patina, Papua New Guinea, 135 x 38 cm
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A fine Southern Highlands war shield (mendi), of wood in classic ovoid form, the anterior imbedded with old arrow points, raised medial ridge and geometric motifs in relief, decorated with polychrome pigments, smooth patina, Papua New Guinea, 116 x 33 cm Note: This shield is a good late ethnographic example and has been used in combat
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A Superb Eastern Highlands War Shield (kukukuku), c.early 20th Century, of wood, in classic ovoid form and slender section, the anterior decorated with polychrome pigments at apex, pierced with old cane grip, smooth patina, Anga,Papua New Guinea, 93 x 39 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection, collected in the field in the 1960s by Ian Still whilst working as a patrol officer in the region, for a similar example c.f. Shields of Melanesia p.149
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A fine Asmat shield, of wood, in classic large format, ovoid form, the anterior decorated with flying fox motif in relief, polychrome pigments, the pierced outer edge with fibre tassels attached, the rear with raised grip, Irian Jaya, 171 x 46 cm.
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A Fine Asmat Shield, c.1960s, of wood in asymmetrical ovoid form sculpted with an openwork ancestor at apex, the anterior decorated with curvilinear motifs in relief, remnant polychrome pigments and fibre tassel attached, the rear with raised medial grip, Irian Jaya, 150 x 51 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection
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A Papuan Ancestor Board (gope), of wood, the anterior decorated with classic ancestor motifs in relief, polychrome pigments,Papua New Guinea, 143 x 28 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection
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An Early Ethnographic Boiken Mask, of wood, the robust convex visage with pierced eyes, mouth and septum below a projecting spike at apex, the concave rear with pierced outer rim, weathered with old encrustations,Papua New Guinea, 45 x 17 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection
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An ethnographic Iatmul ancestor mask, of wood in classic ovoid form, shell inset eyes, pierced septum, remnant polychrome pigment, Papua New Guinea, 70 x 15 cm
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A fine and early Sawos ceremonial mask (mwai), of dense wood in classic elongated narrow form, earth encrusted with inset shell, decorated with remnant polychrome pigments, pig tusk and fibre tassels, smooth patina, Papua New Guinea
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A Superb Ethnographic Vokeo Island Ceremonial Headdress, c. 1940s or earlier, the wood ancestor mask in classic ovoid form with nose ornament and bite stick to rear, woven cane surround below a tapering woven cane projection and detachable apex, with earth overmold, decorated with polychrome pigments and boar tusk ornaments,Papua New Guinea, 95 cm
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An Ethnographic Ramu Drum (garamut), c.1950s, of wood in classic robust form with rectangular central cavity, decorated with projecting openwork ancestor motifs at terminals and geometric motifs in relief to outer panels, remnant pigments, weathered,Papua New Guinea, 160 x 30 cm Provenance: From an Australian collection
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A fine Abalam cult sculpture (nogwi), of wood in classic male yam ancestor form, decorated with polychrome pigments, Papua New Guinea, 112 x 18 cm., collected during the 1970s.
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A Monumental Wosera Sculpture, c.1960s, of wood sculpted in the classic form of a male yam ancestor, decorated with polychrome pigments, weathered,Papua New Guinea, 237 cm Provenance: Originally collected in the field by the Paulian Society
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