A Superb Old New Guinea Carved Pig Massim Culture Milne Bay Province Papua New Guinea

A Superb Old Large New Guinea Carved Pig Massim Culture Milne Bay Province Papua New Guinea

This very finely carved large Pig Effigy is from the Milne Bay Province in the Eastern part of Papua New Guinea. Dating from the late 19th to early 20th Century. Just as a sculpture, it has a lot of charm and it definitely brightens my home and everyone seems to enjoy it.

Pigs in New Guinea are the most important animals for all communities, not only are they an important food source but also, they are a form of traditional wealth & currency.  Wild boars are respected as powerful animals that can easily kill a man, they are also totemic clan emblems, in my time spent with the Marind Anim People on the South Coast of West Papua one of the most important clans were the Pig or Wild Boar Clan and they had a sacred Dema Costume for the Pig Clan.

Pigs are also gifted during traditional ceremonies and can be used to make alliances between different clan groups but also when gifted they incur deep long-term commitments to be called on in the future when needed.

In New Guinea carved wood pigs would have ceremonial or ritual uses, pigs or boars appear on all kinds of ceremonial objects like giant Slit Gong Drums, Sacred Flutes, Trumpets & House Posts.

In the John Friede / Jolika Collection now at the De Young Museum in San Francisco, there is an ancient Massim carved wood pig that was carbon-dated 1520-1810 with a 95% probability. It has an ancient encrusted patina from handling and use. The Friede Pig Carving is basically the same size at 42.4 cm and in the same style with incised designs.  It was published in the Jolika Collection bookplate 408  See photo above

Pigs sculptures have a long history going back to ancient China there were bronze & ceramic pig sculptures

The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic Art

I first went to Papua New Guinea in 1985 for an adventure & what I found was that I really enjoyed being with the people of New Guinea, over the next 38 years I spent extensive time spent collecting and documenting traditional art & ceremonies in remote areas of Papua New Guinea & West Papua, The Solomon Islands & Vanuatu & the other Pacific Islands countries. During these travels, I made major collections of New Guinea & Oceanic Art for major Museums and Public Art Galleries

I was honoured by being in the prestigious Louvre Museum Magazine for the collections I made for The Museum of African & Oceanic Art Paris in1996 (now the Musee Quai Branly) for the exhibition “Asmat et Mimika d’ Irian Jaya April 1996 At THE MUSEE NATIONAL des ARTS D’AFRIQUE et d’ OCEANIE, Paris

See all of the links & photos in my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY and there is the link to the article in the prestigious Louvre Magazine 1996

I have artwork for Museums & Art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery.  I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com  where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.

My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specialises in New Guinea & Oceanic Art. Sydney is just a couple hours’ flight to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbours.

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us.