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.
Important Aboriginal Tribal Art & Oceanic Art Collection — Vickers & Hoad Auctioneers
| Auction House: | Vickers & Hoad Auctioneers | Number of lots recorded: | 188 |
| Sale Title: | Important Aboriginal Tribal Art & Oceanic Art Collection | Lots with images: | 188 |
| Auction Location: | Sydney | Prices available: | 141 |
| Date: | 18-Apr-2021 |
Lot: ***
Painted shield, Central Australia, carved beanwood and natural pigments, painted beanwood shield from Central Australia has incised linear striations on both sides and was coated with a background of red ochre. The front of the shield is brightly painted black depicting a abstracted snake outlined in white. Painted shields were used for dancing during important ceremonies, approx. length 71 x 20.5 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Old beanwood shield, Central Australia, carved beanwood and natural pigments, approx. length 59.5 x 19.5 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Early sword club, Queensland, carved hardwood with natural pigments, of paddle-like form, handle of oval section, with traces of black pigment design, dark glossy patina overall. Approx. length 109 x 6.5 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Arnhem land woomera, Northern Territory. Carved wood, spinifex resin and natural pigments. Wooden woomera, in an oval shape, with a wooden peg attached to the distal end with adhesive. Decorated with pigmented bands of cross-hatching and dashes. Provenance: Collected at Arnhem land in 1958. Approx. length 73.5 x 5.5 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Early woomera, Western Australia, carved and engraved hardwood and spinifex resin, of leaf like form, the front with finely adzed zig-zag and linear designs, the reverse with fine adze marking, wooden peg attached. Approx. length 70.5 x 7 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Cape York woomera, Northern Queensland, carved hardwood, shell and resin, this is a typical woomera from the Aurukun area of north Queensland. It has a great elegance and balanced asymmetry. Approx. length 74 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Cape York woomera, Northern Queensland, carved hardwood, shell and resin, this is a typical woomera from the Aurukun area of north Queensland. It has a great elegance and balanced asymmetry. Approx. length 79 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Stone knife with sheath, Northern Territory, stone flake knife, triangular cross section blade, resin handle, pigmented and paperbark sheath bound with hair, approx. length 17.5 x 5 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Pair of rare Aboriginal canoe paddles, carved and adzed hardwood, approx. lengths 163 cm, 181 cm. Provenance: Collection number 0235
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Engraved boomerang, Western New South Wales or Southern Queensland, carved and engraved hardwood, of bi-convex section with clipped ends, face engraved with sinuous designs, possibly representing the travels of a dreaming ancestor or the course of a River system, approx. length 73 cm. Provenance: G.Husband Collection GH21
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Large ceremonial boomerang, Central Australia, carved and engraved hardwood, ceremonial boomerang, the front decorated with finely fluted design and circle motif, finely adzed on the reverse. Approx. length 90 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Phantom shield, Wahgi valley, Highlands, Papua New Guinea. Shields with non-traditional motifs started to be painted and used in warfare in the 1980s in the New Guinea Highlands. The Phantom comic, available in the highland town of Mt Hagen from the early 1970s, inspired the use of the Phantom image of shields. This was done only in a limited area at the eastern end of the Wahgi valley. The Phantom fitted the highland concepts of moral superiority and fearlessness in warfare that were a crucial part of…
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Early large Abelam ancestral figure, Maprik area, East Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea. These figures are used in ceremonies that represent ancestor spirits called nggwal or a female witchlike creature, ku tagwa. Carved and engraved hardwood. Provenance: Colonel Woodman, district officer in the Sepik region in the 1920's, Lake Collection, Sydney. Approx. length 90 x 18 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Superb early Bougainville ceremonial Stone-Headed axe, Solomon Islands. Finely shaped double-ended stone head, lashed with woven sennit to a twisted cane handle. Carved stone with cane and natural fibre. Provenance: old Collection number 332. Acquired in 1978, by descent. Ex Collection Arte Primitivo, Barcelona, Spain. Private Collection, New South Wales. Approx. length 39 x 30.5 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Large Massim lime spatula, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea. Spatulas were used by preparing betel nut. The betel nut and leaf were mixed with chalk so it was chewable. Spatulas with human figures were used by magicians as protection during Kula travels. The magician asked a spirit to take place in the spatula and to protect the owner during his sleep. Carved and engraved hardwood and natural pigment. Provenance: Ex Collection of Bernie Clarke OAM, Sydney, acquired in the field c. 1941-1955. Raffan…
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Fine Massim lime spatula, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea. Spatulas were used by preparing betel nut. The betel nut and leaf were mixed with chalk so it was chewable. Spatulas with human figures were used by magicians as protection during Kula travels. The magician asked a spirit to take place in the spatula and to protect the owner during his sleep. Carved and engraved hardwood, dark glossy patina. Provenance: Private Collection, Boston. Skinner, American Indian & Ethnographic Arts 2011 - 3099B, lot…
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Important war trumpet, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea. Such trumpets were blown after a successful tribal fight to alert their home village of the warriors' success. Carved and engraved hardwood and natural pigments. Provenance: acquired in the field c. 1929 Published in Vol. Lvi, no. 3, the National Geographic magazine September, 1929, page 318. Private Collection, Sydney. Approx. length 52.5 x 8.5 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Biwat shield, Yuat River, Papua New Guinea. Though this war shield is probably more recent than some examples, related shields were Collected from the Yuat as early as 1912/13 (Berlin expedition), with Margaret Mead Collecting a further similar example in the area in 1933/34. These shields are unusually sculptural, with the nose areas of the three faces in this example projecting outward for several inches and all the relief carving being crisply defined. Carved and engraved wood with cassowary feathers,…
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Fine female ancestral figure, Kanganomon village, middle Sepik Region, Papua New Guinea. A very rare totemic carving by a master craftsman of an egret stylised bird with crocodile body and human hands, clutching a human female while surmount on her back. The female with both hands is pulling her buttocks apart with her legs wide apart is simultaneously having coitus with two crocodiles. Carved and engraved hardwood and decorated with nassa shells and natural pigments. Provenance: Ex Collection Sir Asher…
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Fine pair of plantain scrapers, Markham valley, Papua New Guinea. Cassowary bone banana scraper with classic wedge-shaped ancestral face depicting an ancestor in stylized form. These spoons were used to scrape the skin from the baked plantain, a sort of non-sweet banana. Carved and engraved cassowary bone. Provenance: Collected by K. Trueman, Queensland, Australia, 1960s. Private Collection, New South Wales. Approx. lengths 16.5 cm, 15.5 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Fine amulet figure, lower Sepik River area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea. These finely carved small figures are in the form of an anthropomorphic bird men ancestors that represent a category of powerful ancestral beings called waken. Small amulet figures like these were kept by men in small woven bags or even sometimes woven into their beards. They were used for magical purposes such as; love magic, controlling the weather, hunting for wild pigs and cassowaries, to protect the owner and his family…
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Amulet figure, lower Sepik River area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea. These finely carved small figures are in the form of an anthropomorphic bird men ancestors that represent a category of powerful ancestral beings called waken. Small amulet figures like these were kept by men in small woven bags or even sometimes woven into their beards. They were used for magical purposes such as; love magic, controlling the weather, hunting for wild pigs and cassowaries, to protect the owner and his family from…
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Rare Maori skull pendant, New Zealand. Though similar in form, this unique pendant is not a hei tiki but an amulet representing a mythical bird. Carved and engraved human skull. Provanance: Private Collection, New South Wales. Approx. length 10 x 5.5 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Fine pair of Massim pig figures, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea. Pig sculptures have been made on Kiriwina Island to sell Western visitors as early as 1880. The use of pre-contact pig figures is uncertain; its function as an item of value used for example in exchange for a real pig. Carved and engraved hardwood and natural pigments. Provenance: Estate of Margret Malval, USA. Private Collection, New South Wales. Approx. lengths 24 cm, 29.5 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Two pairs of fine Santa Cruz Islands dancer ornaments, Solomon Islands. These beautifully made ornaments are made from cut leaves and then painted with traditional designs, they then have soft stringy fibre at the back of the decorated part. Provenance: The Mick Pendergrast Collection, New Zealand. Approx. length 34 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Two Solomon Islands incised bamboo containers. Carved and engraved bamboo. Approx. lengths 22 cm, 29 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Pair of Tanzania figures. Carved and engraved hardwood (with custom stands). Approx. lengths 23 cm, 23 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
A Teke ancestor figure Congo. Carved and engraved hardwood (with custom stand). Approx. length 33 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
A fine Sepik dance mask, Papua New Guinea. Carved and engraved hardwood with shells, natural fibre and natural pigments. Provenance: Ex Stan Moriarty Collection (on the back is his Collection number 'M1256 and Maramba village 1961'. Approx. length 101 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
A fine Vanuatu Malekula ceremonial head & a double bird ceremonial figure. Carved wood, spider web and pigments. Approx. lengths 22 cm, 58 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Two Fijian bowls, one in the form of a bird & the other a turtle, Fiji Islands. Carved and engraved hardwood. Approx. lengths 32.5 cm, 40 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
A finely woven traditional natural fibre rain cape for a child, Taiwan. Woven natural fibres, early to mid 20th century. Approx. length 72 x 54 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Early kundu drum, Highlands, Papua New Guinea. The kundu drum, a wooden hand drum used at festivals and ritual exchange ceremonies. Carved and engraved hardwood. Provenance: Private Collection, New South Wales. Approx. length 63 x 14.5 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Massim whalebone spatula with shell decoration, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea. Such whalebone spatulas as this are very rare and would serve more as a wealth and prestige object than an actual functioning lime spatula. Carved whalebone, shell money discs and seeds. Provenance: Private Collection, New South Wales. Approx. length 35.5 x 3.5 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Rare early pudding knife, Banks Island, Vanuatu. Banks Islands knives are made of heavier darker wood and generally incorporate spatula-like handle. These are indicative of owner's status and represent the sacred fires in a men's house. Carved and engraved hardwood. Provevance: Private Collection, New South Wales. Approx. length 35.5 x 4.5 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
A Collection of six arm and waist ornaments, Malaita, Solomon Islands. Orchid-pattern is one name for a kind of patterned band (obi gwaroa) worn on the upper arm, which is plaited from shreds of vine-strip and then patterned by embroidering with shreds of yellow orchid and often also of red coconut cuticle. Woven orchid and coconut cuticle. Provenance: Golding Young, United Kingdom. Private Collection, New South Wales. Approx. lengths 10.5 cm to 124 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Hornbill headhunters ornament, Asmat people, Papua New Guinea. The Papuan hornbill (Aceros plicatus) is a headhunting symbol. Its feathers and beak are used as ornamental elements in many regions of New Guinea. Hornbill skull highly decorated with shells, human hair and natural clay. Provenance: Private Collection, New South Wales. Approx. length 24 x 11 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Rare early sago ladle, Lake Sentani, Papua New Guinea. Carved and engraved hardwood. Provenance: Private Collection, New South Wales. Approx. length 64 x 6.5 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Pair of ceremonial dance head dresses, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea. Woven cane and natural pigments. Provenance: Private Collection, New South Wales. Approx. lengths 31 cm, 29 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Large tapa cloth, Collingwood Bay, Papua New Guinea. The tapa from this area was painted by women and prepared using the bark of the Broussonetia, cultivated near the dwellings. Depending on size, the pieces were used as men' s or women' s clothing, shawls or blankets. They constituted an important part of the gifts exchanged during marriages. The abstract and geometric patterns were drawn in black, then ornamented with red after the former had dried. The names of the patterns were often associated with…
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
A important fine 19th century Fijian spear, Fiji Islands. Carved and engraved hardwood. Provenance: Ex Toast & Rohu Collection, Sydney, c.1904. Approx. length 268 cm
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
Lot: ***
Estimate: ***
Price: ***
