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Fine Australian and International Art and the Collection of Robert Bleakley — Mossgreen Auctions (No longer trading)

Auction House:Mossgreen Auctions (No longer trading)Number of lots recorded:98
Sale Title:Fine Australian and International Art and the Collection of Robert BleakleyLots with images:94
Auction Location:MelbournePrices available:53
Date:31-May-2010
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A good Sepik River wood Food Hook, in the form of a standing human female figure above a janus mask, a snake head at the top of the figure and with a loop handle at the back of the head, good patina
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Two early New Guinea shell Trumpets 30 x 26 cm, fine patina and with circular mouthpiece
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Five items of New Guinea jewellery, comprising three pig's teeth necklaces, one with bamboo tube spacers; a clamshell circular pendant and a Massim kula trade conus shell disc with attachments.
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A fine early Papuan Gulf fibre mask, comprising a stylized human face with raised ridges delineating the features and with traces of pigment remaining, 36 cm.
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Two Solomon Islands stone axe-heads, each of anthropomorphic form 12 cm and 9 cm
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Two New Guinea stone axe blades, the smaller with painted label 'Adze, New Guinea ' and from the Lieutenant General Pitt Rivers collection; 1890s 17 cm and 13 cm
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A fine New Guinea greenstone axe blade possibly used as a bride price due to its large size and the fine quality of the stone 25 cm
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Two early Papuan bamboo Smoking Pipes 77.5 x 82.5 cm Each with well executed curvilinear decoration
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A Tongan or Samoan Tapa Cloth 167 x 150 cm Well decorated with a striking design of mainly geometric forms in different tones
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A good West New Britain War Shield (Arawe) Of typical form, decorated with incised concentric circular panels on the front and with painted decoration on the reverse
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A fine Massim lime spatula, the handle in the form of a well-carved human figure and with good incised decoration, old patina 19 cm. (figure); 43 cm overall
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A Solomon Islands golden nautilus shell inlaid wood Chiefs baton, the entire surface inlaid with well-carved geometric shell plaquettes, 37.5 cm
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An early Massim ebony lime Spatula The handle in the form of a crouching figure, with fine incised decoration and old patina, 21 cm
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A Fine early Massim ebony Lime Spatula he handle in the form of a stylized human figure, finely incised decoration and with a very old patina 22.5 cm
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A fine and rare Solomon Islands cult house Bonito fish Effigy in the form of a finely carved bonito, the entire surface blackened and with elaborate golden nautilus shell inlay overall 79 cm
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An East Sepik Province wood double-sided Figure (mindja) One side with an eroded face with well-carved features, the other with a later face intended to substitute for the earlier face, 72 cm Mindja figures represent the sky and thunder spirits and are shown at ceremonies of the same name
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A good early coastal Sepik orators chair back carved with a powerful face ad retaining much of the original pigment The chair from which this comes would date from the first quarter of the 20th Century and would have had three legs of circular section
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An early Maori greenstone pendant (kapeu) of highly unusual square section, pierced with a hourglass-shaped hole at the top
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Two early Marshall Islands Ceremonial Woven Mats Each finely made with darkened fibre forming intricate geometric patterns, 78 cm x 78 cm and 114 cm x 114 cm approx. Several very similar mats from the British Museum and identified as coming from Majuro, Marshall Islands illustrated pp.278-281 in Kooijman S. Tapa in Polynesia Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu 1972
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A rare Maori flax bag (kete muka) 22 x 30 cm finely woven in flax fibre and with darkened fibre forming lateral bands
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An Abelam woven fibre yam mask finely made with traces of pigment and a good patina 50 cm
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An early Torres Straits turtle shell Armlet With elaborate incised decoration comprising a turtle contained within geometric and dentate incised field.
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An early Torres Straits turtle shell Armlet With fine old patina, the whole surface with well-incised geometric traditional decoration, traces of lime remaining
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Two Massim Kula Trade Baskets Each of classic form and with some attachments 50 cm each approx
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An early and fine New Britain Sago paddle, the central portion carved on either side with a stylized human head, each face with striated decoration, traces of lime infilling, the finial in the form of a stylized bird
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A Massim Canoe Prow Comprising a bird with well carved incised decoration
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A good Sepik wood Mask Comprising a powerfully carved face with painted curvilinear decoration and traces of grey naval paint such as is found on items from the post World War II period, perhaps 1950s, 54 cm
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An early Papuan Gulf wood Drum Well carved with bas relief decoration comprising masks within curvilinear borders, traces of pigment 66 cm
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A Fine and early Solomon Islands Canoe Board Well carved with ten fish overlaying two canoe shapes, the whole with a fine old patina and with a label on the reverse 45 cm
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A Ramu Delta wood shield of typical form with a stylized mask and with incised and painted decoration over the entire surface 95 cm
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A Massive Coastal Sepik wood mask, powerfully carved with red pigment and traces of blue on the lower part, a circular handle at the base of the chin and with conus shell discs forming the eyes 71 cm
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A Papuan headdress ornament (kap kap) in the form of a circular dish-shaped shell plaque with a finely carved openwork turtle shell disc attached with fibre and with an old button of European manufacture securing it; an old native repair to the disc section
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An Ifugao wood Bowl Luzon, Philippines Well carved with three circular recesses in the top, a cord handle and with a fine patina, 31 cm
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A Caroline Islands wood Coconut Shredder Stool Of classic form, the legs bound with braided coir cord, the elegant seat well formed and the whole with a patina indicating considerable age 79 cm
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A Santa Cruz Island wood dance: club (napa) of classic canoe-shaped form with stylized masks on a triangular boss from on the top, the entire surface except the handle with well-painted geometric traditional painted decoration 97 cm
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A fine and early Mt.Hagen Ceremonial Axe he wood socket encased with fine fibre bindings and with the original stone blade 56 cm
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A Mt. Hagen Ceremonial Axe all except the handle section covered with finely woven fibre basketry sheathing, dark grey stone blade intact
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A Tami Island wood Sago Paddle Finely carved with a well a stylized human head on either side of the central portion, the handle surmounted by a stylized human torso, fine patina, 61 cm
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A Fine Huon Gulf ebony Mortar and Pestle Carved in the form of two kneeling adorned figures, each with well carved and with lime inlaid decoration 16 cm base only, 15.5 cm pestle
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A fine and Early New Guinea Highland Mask the flat face with a ridge nose, boars tusks through the pierced nose, a string of small shell beads attached to the lower part, fibre coiffure and with a fine early patina 34 cm
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A Fine Maprik Bride-Price (talipun) Mask With powerfully rendered features and painted decoration 26 cm
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A Latmul wood Gable Ornament Comprising a post with a full standing figure on the front, above a skull-like head, another on the back, surmounted by a bird finial 150 cm high
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Two Massim canoe prow ornaments (Munkuris of Maan) 43.5 x 52.5 cm, each of typical form with incised decoration and a variety of bird and other animal forms
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An early Massim Canoe Splash Board 96 x 67 cm Of classic form with incised scrolling decoration on one side
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A Massim brown ebony mortar and pestle well-carved with a pair of adorned squatting figures supporting the cup, good patina 16.5 cm high (mortar)
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Two Massim mortar and Pestles, each with signs of considerable age 24 cm & 12 cm (mortar only
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A fine Sepik wood suspension hook carved in the form of a human figure, of slender attenuated form, traces of pigment, with a good well used patina
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An early and well-carved Massim Sword Carved of black palm wood and with the entire surface of one side covered with incised lime-filled decoration 116.5 cm long
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A Karewari wood Cult Figure (tunegatsir) Of classic form, the openwork curved body surmounted by a stylized human head 57 cm high
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A Papuan Gulf ceremonial panel incised lime filled decoration on either side 69 cm or a Chimbu wood neck-rest in the form of a highly stylized quadruped 51.5 cm
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A South East Asian wood Figure Perhaps from Lomboc, modern 94 cm
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A Fine Massim Canoe Prow Either side finely carved with classic curvilinear motifs. 124 cm long, identified as being carved by the master carver Urasake
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Two Fiji wood Missile Clubs (Iula drisia) Ball-headed, each with incised zigzag handgrips and with glossy old patinas, 18th/19th cent. 41 cm & 34 cm
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A group of Sepik river Arrows some with finely carved shafts and other decoration
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A Massim walking stick well carved with figures and masks 91.5, cm; and a Sepik walking staff, the upper part carved with a full human figure, 94 cm
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A fine Fiji wood Priest's oil dish circular with dentate border around the gently convex top, supported by two columns on a ring base. 25 cm a very similar priest's oil dish from the Peabody Museum of Salem, Salem Massachusetts (E 10.441) is illustrated in Ralph Linton and Paul Wingert arts of the South Seas Simon and Schuster, New York 1946
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A Fine and early Admiralty Islands Beadwork panel 15 x 19 cm Of classic geometric motif with the red; white and blue glass beads obtained from the Germans and associated with early beadwork from this region.
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Four Admiralty Islands Beadwork Armbands Each with finely executed geometric patterns on a woven fibre support.
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A New Guinea Highlands Shell and Fibre Gorget 22 x 67 x 9 cm With a Manus Island woven fibre and applied cut cowrie shell Belt
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A New Guinea War Charm (koragut) In the form of a stylized human figure, the fibre body embellished with rows of cut cowrie shells 28 cm long
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A new Guinea Highlands fibre and shell Breast Ornament Embellished with cut cowrie shells applied in geometric and linear patterns, a white cowrie shell on either side 31 cm long
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A fine and rare Fiji Conch shell trumpet, comprising a natural shell pierced to provide a mouthpiece, an elaborate intricately woven coir extension to the smaller end. Length 53 cm
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A group of five New Guinea Highlands breast ornaments (kina), each with red pigmentation over the shell and fibre neckpiece, some with cowrie shell and other embellishments 24 cm and 18.5 cm
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An Ifugao wood shield Of classic form, black pigment overall, four woven cane bands around the shield 83 cm long This early shield was probably souveniered by a US serviceman and posted back to himself after World War II by simply sticking an address label and stamps on the shield itself, still present.
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An Old Lomboc Wood Cult Figure Comprising a human torso with a lizard carved in low relief on the back, the whole with a fine old patina 45 cm long
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A Javanese Shadow Puppet (warung) Theatre Sign Carved in low relief on both sides, one appearing to be significantly older than the other 67 cm long
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A Palembang basketry container 22.5 x 16 x 8 cm Finely woven and with elaborate motifs including mythological animal on the rectangular lid and horses around the sides
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A Khond brass Incense Burner In the form of a stylized elephant, with openwork cast panels and a hinged lid 21 cm high
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A Naga Equestrian Group 45 x 60 cm Powerfully carved, the rider carved separately to the horse Assam, India The Naga are a legendary headhunting people know for their powerful evocative figure sculpture and elaborate personal adornments
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A fine Thai Ayuthia period bronze Buddha, 15th/16th century seated in dhyanasana with the right hand in bhumisparsa mudra bearing witness to the earth, with a flame usnisa rising from the top of the head, the whole with a fine original patina. Height 76.5 cm
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A Javanese glass painting of a Marriage Couple 49 x 36 cm
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A Rajasthan bracket depicting a finely carved mounted Raja showing dominance over a demon, the demon in turn dominates the mythical yali, the yali overpowers an elephant and beneath the elephant is a peacock, 19th century, South India 96 cm high
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A Batak tortoise shell comb, Sumatra elaborate pierced carving representing heraldic devices inspired by Dutch East India Company coins, fine old patina 18 cm long
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A good Thai Bangkok period gilt bronze Buddha, 18th/19th century seated in dhyanasana with the right hand in bhumisparsa mudra bearing witness to the earth, finely cast and with most of the gilt surface remaining. Height 72 cm.
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Three Nepalese wood Shamans Masks Each with old patinas showing signs of considerable usage 30 cm, 28 cm & 27 cm
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A Good Nepalese wood Shamans Mask The triangular face with good patina showing use
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A Kenyah Dyak wood Mask Of classic form, vigorously carved with detailed red, white and black painted decoration, with mirror-inset eyes and a basketry hat (of later manufacture) A bite-stick at the back indicating that it has been used in ceremony 44 cm high
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A Tibetan Oracles Crown, 19th/20th Century In sliver metal with turquoise and coral insets, gilt decoration on the nine leaf- like uprights, which are inserted into the tops of and between the skulls 20 cm long
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Two Sawankhalok pottery maternity figures, each nursing a child and with pale green glaze, the heads of both figures re-fixed 10 cm and 8 cm. Sawankhalok is a district in the northern part of Sukhothai Province in Northern Thailand.
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A miniature painting on gold leaf, traditional Orissan miniature, Orissa, South East India 34 x 22 cm Executed on a court document, Yali (mythical lion-like animal) with an elephant
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A miniature traditional black line painting, Orissa, South East India 34 x 22 cm On gold leaf and each executed on an old court document, both paintings depict a dancing couple, framed and glazed
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A Southern Indian wood Figure of Krishna Standing with a flute to the mouth, the whole well carved and with good old patina. 19th century probably Kerala 67 cm high
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A Rajasthan wood Offering Water Ritual Instrument Finely carved and overlaid with silvered sheet 55 cm long
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An Afshan Kuba rug, East Caucasus, 218 x 261 cm a deep pale field of stylized floral rosettes palmettes and angular budding tendrils and vines
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A Kurdish Runner, Northern Iran, First half of the 20th Century 214 x 105 cm Concentrated design of stepped diamond motifs and floral rosettes
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A pair of Australian colonial period cameo carved emu Eggs, 19th century Each depicting scenes of Australian Aboriginal life against a bush setting. 12 cm each
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An Orrefors pale blue glass Vase The flaring form supported on rounded integral feet, inscribed 18.5 cm high
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Three Kuba Raffia Velours cloth panels 66 x 32 cm each of typical complex geometric design, 19th/20th cent. Zaire. 66 x 32 cm & 26 x 34 cm
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Two Tanzanian wood stools, each of typical three-legged form with a concave seat and fine old patina 30 cm diameter each approx.
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A leopard skin rug
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A late Gothic wood figure of St. Anne, Rhenish or north Italian origin both hands missing at the wrist and the feet missing, wearing a red vest over a flowing green skirt, considerable original paint remaining and with a good patina. Height 61 cm According to the apocryphal Gospel of James, Anne and her husband Joachim, after years of childlessness, were visited by an angel who told them that they would conceive a child. Anne promised to dedicate the child to God's service. Joachim and Anne are believed to…
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An Italian ebony veneered two-door cabinet on stand, part 17th century with later elements 99 x 70 x 41 cm Both the exterior and interior elaborately inlaid with ivory in the Renaissance: revival style, with numerous hidden compartments and metal-hinged handles on either side, the stand modern
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A blue and white brushpot, transitional period, Chongzhen, circa 1640, very well painted with a mythical beast, with box. Height 15 cm
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An Orrefors Ariel glass Dove vase 1965 signed and dated by Edvin Ohstrom, Swedish, 1965, the elaborate internal bubble-formed images of a dove and a bust with outstretched hand well executed against a cobalt blue interior clad with clear glass. Height 18 cm
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A Daum acid-etched silver included glass Vase French, Circa 1930 Of ovoid form with deep art-deco motif etched elements cut from the thick glass body of the vessel, flecks of silver inclusions throughout, inscribed Daum, Nancy 21 cm high
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A very unusual Norwegian enamelled silver candelabra, circa 1950 in the form of a three-spoked configuration of arms ending in a sconce ringed with deep blue enamel 21 cm high
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Five Japanese Lacquered Wood Tables 33 x 33 cm Each with red lacquer and integral legs 33 cm square each
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A group of four Australian studio pottery Pots 40/13 cm
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