|
|
Melanesian artifacts from Papua New Guinea can
be grouped into several major categories and we have provided below
an overview of the major categories that we have used to enable you
to easily locate the items that you may be interested in.
When you have identified the groups that interest
you then you can go to those categories where you will find galleries
of photographs of artifacts either currently in stock or examples of
artifacts that we are able to obtain.
Not all of the artifacts available in Papua New Guinea are on display
in this site. If you can't identify or locate what you are looking for
then please contact us with your specific requirements and we will advise
if we are in a position to assist you.
|
BASKETRY, TRAYS, BILUMS & FIGURES. |
|
 |
-
Trays and baskets made from
woven cane from the Southern Highlands and Bougainville are
popular additions to dinner tables and room features.
-
String bags, known as Bilums,come
in a range of sizes and made from natural fibres or multi-coloured
string.
- Duti Warriors and assorted figures made
from kunda (cane) are very decorative.
|
|
BOARDS, PROWS & TAUPA CLOTH.
|
|
|

|
- Taupa or bark paintings depict ancestorial
stories about "good" and "evil" spirits.
- Story boards are carved wooden boards depicting
everyday village life with spirit figures shown on the men's
house gables.
- Prows and Splashboards from traditional
canoes have intricate carvings of spirits for safe travelling
and successful fishing.
- House Boards are decorative wooden boards
found on Haus Tamborans.
|
|
BOWLS
|
|
|

|
- Decorative Trobriand bowls carved from Kwila,
Rosewood or Ebony wood with Mother of Pearl inlay.
- Tami decorative or functional wooden and
coconut wood bowls.
- Siassi Bridal bowls.
|
|
FIGURES
|
|
|

|
- Ancestral figures mainly from the Sepik
regions.
- Spirit figures from the Ramu region and
Trobriand Islands.
|
| HOOKS,
SKULL RACKS & FOOD HOOKS |
|
|

|
- Cult Hooks are suspended in the men's house
to represent spirits who helped in fighting, hunting, and warding
off disease.
- Skull hooks origionally had skulls hung
on the ends to ward off opposing clans.
- Food hooks are used to hang food from the
rafters and keep away from vermin.
|
| INSTRUMENTS |
|
|

|
- Hand Drums, Kundu's are made from
wood, the skin of a snake, lizard or NOW mainly fish are softened
in water, stretched over the mouth & glued to the rim with
tree sap then firmly bound at the rim with cane. Pieces of wax
or gum are attatched to the skin to modulate the sound &
pitch. They are used in the Highlands Provinces, Sepik areas,
Tami, Trobriand, Siassi & Manam Islands as well as Ramu
Papuan Gulf & Fly River areas.
- Garamut Drums are a Slit Gong Drum that
are hollowed out tree trunks with long slits along the top.
They are beaten on the side near the top with the end of a heavy
stick to transmit signals, to perform rituals & to accompany
dancers. They are used in the Ramu, Siassi & Sepik regions.
- Flutes, Bullroarers & Whistles are also
widely used in PNG
|
| MASKS |
|
|

|
There are many types on Masks
in PNG all having specific uses & meanings.
-
Dance Masks, from Sepik
& Ramu
-
Ancestral & Spirit Masks
(like the Mwai Mask) represent faces of supernatural beings
& can be used to ward off evil spirits.
-
Gable Masks made from sago
or woven cane arehung on the house gable to protect its residents
from disaster, mainly illnesses.
- Tago Masks made from bark to appear like
the spirits that live inside the Tami Island.
- Kanipu, worn by initiating boys.
- Orihobo, body mask worn by men.
- Avoko, marriage mask to bring good fortune
& fertility.
- Yam,encourage bountiful crops.
- Baining Fire Dancing Masks
- Malanggaan New Ireland dance mask
- Tumbuans or large Spirit Creatures,woven
body shroud.
|
| ORNAMENTS |
|
|

|
- Penis Guords
- Bark Belts
- Wigs
- Woven Belts with Bridal Shells
- Kina & Moka Kina Shells
- Armbands
- Men'a Apron or Malu
- Dog or Pigs Tusk Necklaces
- Toea Shell arm, leg & Necklaces
- Lailais, Kap Kaps
- Bagi
|
| POTTERY |
|
|

|
- Sago Pots
- Zumin Pots
- Aibom Pots
- Amphlet Pots
- Yabob Pots
- Washkuk Pots
- Kianantu Pottery glazed & fired for
table use
- Madang Pottery also glazed & fired for
table use
|
| SHIELDS |
|
|
|
- Shields come in all shapes and sizes, some
made of hide stretched over a framework are used mainly to deflect
arrows. Others, large and cumbersome, may be over two metres
tall and a metre or so wide.
- Some rectangular, some circular, others
more irregular shapes, they can be carved in reliefs or painted
with dyes and ochres.
- Not only is a shield a means of physical
defence, it can be regarded also as a sacred object of spiritual
significance. Faces on them, for instance, represent clan spirits
associated mystically with their bearers who are protected by
them.
|
| TABLES |
|
|
|
- Trobriand Stools carved from one piece of
wood, usually Kwila.
- Headrests or carved Pillows from assorted
hard wood.
- Blackwater stools usually carved with figures
holding up the top of the stool.
- Carved Storyboard Tables carved from either
Kwila or Rosewood & depite a specific story of village life.
- Sepik Carved Tables depicting spirits &
specific animals especially crocodiles.
|
TOOLS
|
|

|
- Obsidian Daggers
- Adzes
- Assorted Paddles
- Drills
- Fish Traps, nets, carved hooks, bone hooks
- Water Carriers
- Walking Sticks
- Fire Sticks
- Mallets
- Betel nut sticks
|
| WEAPONS |
|
|
|
- Clubs
- Axes
- Daggers
- Bows & Arrows
- Arrow Throwers
- Spears
- Arm/Shoulder Shields
|
| Body
Art |
|
 |
There are many types of body art in PNG
- Sepik Initiation carving of young boys.
- Highland Dancers body art with Traditional
Ochres & bilas
- Coastal Dancers with Traditional Bilas &
clays used for body art.
|
For further Enquiries, please
email melanesian.arts@global.net.pg
|