This item has been SOLD. A large and often used, carved wooden feast ladel from the Huan Gulf region. The finial is an ancestor image who will keep evil away from the food  More »

This item has been SOLD. A large and often used, carved wooden feast ladel from the Huan Gulf region. The finial is an ancestor image who will keep evil away from the food offered to an honored guest. The clean, elegant form is enhanced by the somewhat serpentine forms on the upper rim of the ladel where the handle joins. The leading edge shows wear from use, as shown. Nice patina and in very good overall condition. Accompanied by a custom metal display stand. Height,16,25" Circa 1970. ex: Michael Hamson   « Less

A very good example of a seldom encountered Kardawar ancestor figure. Seated with legs and arms drawn up in an almost fetal position. The upper arms are adorned with bands  More »

A very good example of a seldom encountered Kardawar ancestor figure. Seated with legs and arms drawn up in an almost fetal position. The upper arms are adorned with bands and raised, with hands to his chin and resting on his chest. The expressive face has a fringe beard and detailed features. Adz carved and with a nice patina. There is an age crack running vertically on the right side, as shown. Very good condition in all other respects. ex: Michael Hamson 1998. H: 9.75", W: 3". Accompanied by a custom metal display stand.   « Less

From the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, a hard wood war shield in traditional Mendi style. The somewhat ovoid shaped shield has a medial ridge, culminating in a  More »

From the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, a hard wood war shield in traditional Mendi style. The somewhat ovoid shaped shield has a medial ridge, culminating in a spike at the top. The traditional pattern on the face of the shield is applied with pigment and ash. The concave back shows a grip of a hemp like material which appears to be original. Edge wear but no cracks or losses. Ex. Edward Sklar Collection. Size 47"H x 17.5W. C. 1970   « Less

This item has been SOLD. From the Middle Sepik River area, a large spirit House mask with extended nose and charcoal blackened, prominent nostrils. Sold by Butterfield and  More »

This item has been SOLD. From the Middle Sepik River area, a large spirit House mask with extended nose and charcoal blackened, prominent nostrils. Sold by Butterfield and Butterfield in 1998 as part of the A.C. Johnson collection, field collected in the 1950's by Johnson. This piece has a hand written and crumpled tag attached which states, Mask of a face which I got for a comb at the village of Chipendai on the right bank of the Sepik River, July 12, 1954. While there is some slight grain separation in the wood from dehydration, much of the original ochre, charcoal and kayolin color remains om this fine, large house mask. There is slight loss to the tip of the nose and the rafia surround is long since missing as are the cowrie shells which were once inset in the eyes. This is a classic Iatmul house mask and with the collection tag an exciting addition to any New Guinea collection. Accompanied by a custom metal display stand. 1940's. Size 24.5" x9". Height 31' on stand.   « Less

Arawe People, south coastal region of the Isalnd of New Britain, Papua New Guinea. A war shield composed of three bowed planks bound together by rattan cane. Low relief  More »

Arawe People, south coastal region of the Isalnd of New Britain, Papua New Guinea. A war shield composed of three bowed planks bound together by rattan cane. Low relief carved and painted on the front and painted on the back. Wear at the top and bottom faces and leading edges. The paint shows some wear but is in good condition as the shield and its cane bindings. 59"H. and 13"W. THIS ITEM HAS BEEN SOLD   « Less

Illanun Dayak People, North Borneo. A fine Kampilan with original scabbard. The hilt is well carved with original red dyed hair and original, complete woven rattan bands. The  More »

Illanun Dayak People, North Borneo. A fine Kampilan with original scabbard. The hilt is well carved with original red dyed hair and original, complete woven rattan bands. The good quality blade has a nice patina which shows some indication of the folded metal. It swells to a well formed tip with the traditional "hook" detail. The scabbard is in excellent condition and still retains two original woven bands which hold it in place on the blade. On the hilt two plugs are missing hair and the iron guard is missing as well. Late 19th to very early 20th C. Overall length 36.75", blade 27".   « Less

A good quality fighting Kampilan of the Maquindado warriors of Mindanao, Philippines. The hilt is carved with attention to fine detail and the eyes are inset with brass  More »

A good quality fighting Kampilan of the Maquindado warriors of Mindanao, Philippines. The hilt is carved with attention to fine detail and the eyes are inset with brass convex discs. The quality iron guard is forged in a twist pattern with a plain, smaller guard on the opposing side of the hilt. The hair is missing. The long, well crafted blade has a nice, undisturbed patina which reveals some folded metal and swells to a wedge tip. 19th C. Overall length, 38.5", blade 27".   « Less

From the Moro of Mindanao, a well crafted spear head called Budiak. With a finely crafted collar and deep fullers that are the features of a large 16 inch blade this is the  More »

From the Moro of Mindanao, a well crafted spear head called Budiak. With a finely crafted collar and deep fullers that are the features of a large 16 inch blade this is the work of a craftsman. The blade and shank both bear museum catalog marks. The blade surface has abrasions from age and use but no dark rust. The very rare wood scabbard has metal bands and a carved throat. De accessioned from the Cheney Cowles Museum, Spokane Washington in 1991. Late 19th C. Blade 16", scabbard 18.25".   « Less

This item has been SOLD. From the Bagabo People, Eastern Mindanao, Philippines, a scarce sword with an even more scarce partial  More »

This item has been SOLD. From the Bagabo People, Eastern Mindanao, Philippines, a scarce sword with an even more scarce partial scabbard. These early swords are characterised by a handsome, fluted wood hilt adorned with engraved brass and brass dangles, (now missing) which were attached to a brass piece on the underside of the hilt. The brass guard is also sculpted and the ricasso notched in an ornamental but functional fashion. The broad blade swells drom the ricasso to a tip with a four inch false edge. The blade has a nice patina with no rust damage. The scabbard wood was originally covered with either decorated fabric or hide and is now missing as is one of the two brass elements at the scabbard tip. Overall laegth 21", blade 15.5". Please inquire with questions.   « Less

From Panay Island, Visayan Island Group Philippines. A sword with a powerful, heavy blade with a downward, Klewang style tip, the last five inches of the top curve bearing a  More »

From Panay Island, Visayan Island Group Philippines. A sword with a powerful, heavy blade with a downward, Klewang style tip, the last five inches of the top curve bearing a false edge. The plain wood hilt finished in a gracefully curved abstract that suggests the shape of the deity heads used on later swords. The hilt has an octagon shaped bronze ferrule. The scabbard has a brass throat and metal bands. The belt loop is carved as an integral part of the scabbard. In excellent condition with only abrasions from use and age on the blade. Late 19th to very early 20th C.   « Less