Huli Sing Sing

2013. Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea. Photographic C-Type print, archival. Signed edition 2 of 5. Frame 810 x 600mm est $1,500 — $2,500

The Huli of Papua New Guinea live in a land of rugged mountains, dense rainforests and fertile valleys. Uncontacted by Europeans until the 1930s, their way of life differs little from what the first missionaries encountered. They are one of the last remaining Papua New Guinean tribes that still wear traditional dress.

The Huli take great pride in their personal appearance and are known for their elaborately decorated hairpieces. The collection of hair for wigs starts at an early age, involving magical spells, ritualistic water sprinkles, and special wooden pillows. Once a young man's hair grows to a certain length, it is cut off to make a wig and the process is repeated.

One of the most important elements of Huli society is the sing-sing, a colourful celebration or gathering. The Huli often perform the Bird of Paradise dance in which men jump slightly off the ground in unison imitating the bird. Preparation for a sing-sing is a lengthy affair that often takes hours as ceremonial wigs are donned, feathers are added, hornbill necklaces are adjusted, and body makeup is smeared. The photographer, Guy Needham is noted for his work with indigenous tribes, primarily drawing on themes of identity and place within cultural narratives. His images have been exhibited in New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona and Tokyo, and have been seen on the pages of National Geographic Traveller, SUITCASE Magazine, and the Royal Photographic Society's Journal.

1 A 4th-3rd Millennium BC Bowl, Harappa Culture, Indus Valley

Indus Valley is a Bronze Age civilisation that was located in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent, consisting of what is now mainly presentday Pakistan and Northwest India. At its peak, the Indus Civilisation may have had a population of well over five million people. This bowl is made from a sand coloured baked clay with hand-painted black gridded designs inside of concentric bands. H60 D83mm est $400 — $800

2 A 15th Century Persian Turquoise Glazed Bowl, Iran

Made from earthernware. A hemisphere form on a thick foot. With black hand-painted designs under a turqouise glaze. Featuring a central rosette with bands of decorations around the interior. With repairs. H122 D271mm est $1,200 — $1,800

3 A 4th-3rd Millennium BC Bowl, Harappa Culture, Indus Valley

Indus Valley is a Bronze Age civilisation that was located in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent, consisting of what is now mainly present-day Pakistan and Northwest India. At its peak, the Indus Civilisation may have had a population of well over five million people. This bowl is made from a red baked clay with handpainted black circles inside of concentric bands. H60 D83mm est $400 — $800

4 A Wahaika, Aotearoa

A short club weapon used for striking. This example was likely carved for trade. Carved from a hardwood native timber. This wahaika features a full bodied figure on the inner curve of the blade. With a head at the butt of the club. With pāua shell inlay for eyes. A pierced hole on the handle is for a suspension cord to pass through. With a custom presentation stand. Wahaika L390 W139 D30mm, on stand H371 W240 D65mm est $300 — $500

5 A Pounamu Mere, Aotearoa

Carved from kahurangi pounamu. The blade tapers down to the grip and terminates with graduating ribbing. With a pierced hole at the grip. Likely machine cut at the butt. L270 W95 D11mm est $1,000 — $2,000

6 A Wahaika, Aotearoa

A short club weapon used for striking. This example was likely carved for trade. Carved from a hardwood native timber. The butt of the handle features a carved head with pāua shell inlay. At the inner curve of the blade is a full body figure with hands clasped at the stomach. In a dark brown patina. L395 W135 D33mm, on stand H190 W395 D64mm est $300 — $500

7 MATTHEW RANDALL Untitled

2007. This piece by Matthew Randall depicts a hoe paddle for a waka. The hoe is carved in raised relief, upon a regtangular form with concentric bands and koru design. The hoe features intricate raised koru motifs in red and black at the blade. Mounted on a black frame. frame 1150 x 320mm est $500 — $1,000

MATTHEW RANDALL Untitled

2007. This piece by Matthew Randall depicts a hoe paddle for a waka. The hoe is carved in raised relief, upon a regtangular form with concentric bands surrounding the hoe. The hoe features sunken relief motifs in red and black at the blade. Mounted on a black frame. Frame 320 x 1150mm est $500 — $1,000

9 MATTHEW RANDALL Untitled

2007. This piece by Matthew Randall depicts a hoe paddle for a waka. The hoe is carved in raised relief, upon a regtangular form with concentric bands and koro design. The hoe features intricate raised koru motifs in red, white, and black at the blade. Mounted on a black frame. frame 1155 x 320mm est $500 — $1,000

10 A Pine Needle Basket by Luwana Wanaisie, Oregon

Circa 1994. Made from ponderosa pine and raffia. H220 D450mm est $400 — $800

11 PUKU WRIGHT Untitled

A piupiu is a waist or shoulder garment made from harakeke (flax leaf) and muka strands (processed flax leaf fibres). This piupiu comprises of hundreds of rod-like harakeke tags that have been sewn onto a muka woven base. The belt of this piupiu has is made from many strands of muka that have been braided. From this waistband is a fringe made of feathers. The piupiu has been mounted to a wood frame. Frame 930 x 730, piupiu L730mm est $1,000 — $2,000

12 A Pine Needle Basket by Luwana Wanaisie, Oregon

Circa 1994. Made from ponderosa pine and raffia. H160 D625mm est $400 — $800

13 HEREMAIA BARLOW Uenuku II

2021. Crafted from laser cut MDF and coloured with acrylic paint in teal, gold, and black. This piece features a manaia head over kōwhai and koru motifs. Signed to the reverse. L700 W205 D40mm est $1,000 — $2,000

14 A Mounted Poupou, Tairawhiti

By an unknown whakairo artist of Te Tai Rāwhiti. This poupou depicts a figure carved from a single piece of wood. The figure stands with knees slightly bent and hands clasped at the stomach. The figure wears a topknot hairstyle and has tā moko tattooing to the face and thighs. Bone and pāua shell inlays have been used to depict eyes. H1700 W350 D150mm est $1,000 — $2,000

15 AYSON LEWIS Tirohanga

2021. Rongowhakaata iwi. This piece is carved from three pieces of redwood. It features a hand-painted kārearea falcon with taniko patterns above. Below the kārearea is deeply carved kōwhai patterns. L1350 W605 D25mm est $1,200 — $1,600

16 A Stone Pestle, Western Province, Solomon Islands

19th century. Used for grinding foods and plant fibres. These pestles are considered prestige items. This pestle is carved from a single piece of stone in an elongated sfart form with slight flare towards the base. With raised relief decoration of fish at the handle. L420 D53mm est $500 — $600

Carved from a single piece of wood with openwork. With visible chisel marks to the interior. H135 D270mm est $400 — $600

18 A Mother of Pearl Inlaid Crucifix, Solomon Islands

Carved from wood. The crucifix is raised on four stacked pieces of wood with two small support arches to the base of the cross. Decorative mother of pearl inlay to the front and sides of the cross and base. Some repair work to the right arm of the cross where it has broken off. The back is supported by a brass panel. H380 W195 D60mm est $200 — $400

19 A Waka Hoe, Aotearoa

Carved from a single piece of native wood. A long slender form with a leaf-shaped blade, with a split running up the blade. The grip of the handle is a short cylindrical form. In a light brown lacquer. L1605 W140 D21mm est $1,500 — $2,000

20 A Model of an Outrigger Canoe, Samoa

Outrigger canoe were used for fishing and for travelling short distances between islands. They are made with a dug-out wood hull which was attached to its outrigger by a series of cross-beams that provided support for a deck. This model features a palm woven sail that is decorated with chicken feathers. H470 W50 D490mm est $150 — $300

21 A Waka Hoe, Aotearoa

Late 19th century. Carved from a dense native hardwood. With a lanceolate blade, a long slender shaft that terminates in a knob. Lacquered a dark brown. With some minor damage to the tip from use. With a custom built stand. L1330 W120 D35mm, on stand H1403mm est $800 — $1,200

22 A Sepik Region Basketry Pig, Papua New Guinea

A cane structure with twisted cord bush string covering. Coloured with black, red, and white pigments. Cassowary feather decorations and cowrie shell eyes. H480 W310 D940mm est $400 — $600

23 An Ancestral Gable Mask, Sepik, Papua New Guinea

Made in the 1960s, Maramba Village. Carved from a single piece of wood. Depicting a large face with a hooked nose and an 'O' shaped mouth. Decorated with cowrie shells and boar tusks. Highly decorated with natural pigments.

L1130 W270 D160mm est $250 — $450

24 A Kandigai Village Mask, Papua New Guinea

An ancestor spirit mask from the Middle Sepik region. A wood carved oval form of a large face. The face features a medial ridge running down the forehead to the nose, and two large eyesockets. With open work around the mouth. Two conus shells are used for expressive eyes and a fringe of cassowary feather.

L780 W285 D130mm est $250 — $500

Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s British Antarctic Expedition vessel ‘Terra Nova’ at Lyttleton Harbour prior to departure. NFT, Ethereum blockchain. ERC-721 token. Under the command of Robert Falcon Scott, the Terra Nova departed the safety of Lyttleton Harbour for her perilous journey to Antarctica on 26 November 1910. This image depicts the Terra Nova in port as preparations for the Antarctic expedition were being made. The ship is flanked by the well-dressed Twin Screw Steamer "Canterbury" (to be renamed "Lyttleton" the following year) that still resides at Lyttleton Port to this day. This image has been generated from the original glass plate negative taken in November 1910. The initial purchaser of this NFT will also receive the glass plate, a framed contact print, and a surviving example of Captain Scott's signature.

est $4,000 — $5,000

26 A Complete Set of Three Official Publications of Cook's Voyages in Second Editions

A Complete Set of Three Official Publications of Cook's Voyages in Second Editions Including the First Voyage 1773, Second Voyage 1777, Third Voyage 1785 with Atlas Cook, Captain James (by John Hawkesworth)

First Voyage

An Account of the Voyages undertaken by the order of his present Majesty for making Discoveries in the Southern Hemisphere... and performed by Byron, Cateret, Wallis & Cook.

2nd edition, 3 Volumes, frontis. map: "Chart of the Part of the South Sea" chart torn. London, W. Strahan & T. Cadell, 1773

Cook, Captain James Second Voyage

A Voyage towards the South Pole and Round the World performed in his Majesty's Ship the Resolution and Adventure, in the years 1772, 1773, 1774 and 1775. Written by James Cook, Commander of the Resolution. In which is included, Captain Furneaux's Narrative of his Proceedings in the Adventure during the Separation of the Ships

2nd edition, 2 Volumes, full leather, spine gilt, lettering piece to spine.

London, W. Strahan & T. Cadell, 1777

Cook, Captain James Third Voyage

A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean. Undertaken by the command of His Majesty, for making discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere. Performed under the direction of Captains Cook, Clerke, and Gore, in His Majesty's ships the Resolution and Discovery in the years 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, and 1780. Vols I & Il written by Captain James Cook, Vol III by Captain James King

2nd edition, 3 Volumes, full leather, spine gilt, lettering piece to spine.

London, H. Hughs for C. Nicol, 1785

The second edition is preferred to the first edition for a number of reasons, the most obvious difference is the use on the title-pages of the text volumes of engraved vignettes of the Royal Society medal (in volumes 1 and 2) and of an oval medallion portrait of Captain King (in volume 3). The medal was awarded to Cook posthumously by the prestigious Royal Society in 1784, shortly after publication of the first edition of this book. This second quarto edition was printed by H. Hughs - rather than W. and A. Strahan who had printed the first edition - with the wording of the title-pages slightly modified and the text itself entirely reset.

Cook, Captain James Atlas to the Third Voyage ["Cook's Third Voyage Atlas" on spine] Half leather, marbled bds, 61 b/w plates.

One folding chart: "A General Chart exhibiting the Discoveries made by Capt James Cook in this and his two preceding voyages with the tracks of the ships under his command". (W.Palmer sculp.)

Double page chart: "Chart of the N. W. Coast of America and N.E. Coast of Asia"

Published by Order of the Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty W. Strachan and T. Cadell, London, 1773, 1777 and 17841 est $40,000 — $80,000

27 PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN The Motor Sledge of Mr. C Jones

A Motor Sledge designed by Mr. C Jones of Fairley, New Zealand est $2,500 — $3,500

NFT, Ethereum blockchain. ERC-721 token.

Inspired by the visit of Captain Scott's Terra Nova Expedition to Lyttleton some 18 months earlier, Fairley local Mr. C Jones design, patented, and built a motor sledge.

Jones’ design was exceptional, leading Lieutenant Gran from The British Antarctic Expedition to state, "Compared with the motor sledges used on Captain Scott’s Expedition, the new invention is a machine of much greater speed. It is far lighter and less expensive. I should think this sledge would be well worth trying in polar expeditions."

As fate would have it, the remarkable sledge seen in this image would not see action in polar regions, but was instead used to tow skiers around Fairley and Mt Cook.

This image has been generated from the original glass plate negative. The initial purchaser of this NFT will also receive the glass plate and a framed contact print. In addition two pieces of stationary, one carried on Captain Scott's Discovery expedition, the other on Captain Scott's Terra Nova expedition.

Ivory Coast

Used in initiation ceremonies in the Bwami society. The Bwami society is a centuries old voluntary society which promotes peace among the Lega who have no centralised state or regional authoritative roles. Lega masks are not often worn on the face, they are adorned on different parts of the body or hung for display. Carved from a single piece of wood and coloured with white and brown pigment. The mask is a small elliptical shape with raised almond-shaped eyes and perforated detailing to the nose and forehead.

On custom presentation stand. H290 W110 D80mm est $1,100 — $1,500

29 A Zimba Monkey Head, Democratic Republic of Congo

Mid-20th century. Carved from a single piece of wood. In the form of a monkey with bared teeth. Perforations to each side of the face, and deep carved oval eyes. Applied plant fibres to the skull with areas of patina where the fibres have been smoothed away with handling. Raised on a nonagonal base.

On custom presentation stand. H315 W130 D140mm est $800 — $1,400

30 A Fang Mask, Gabon

Mid-20th century. Carved from a single piece of wood. The mask is of marquise form, with two horns forming the top peak. The face is concave with a bulbous forehead. The almond-shaped eyes are lined with a rich pigment and have small slits, and the mouth is open. The nose is decorated with darkened striated lines, reflected in detailing around forehead and flanking the eyes. The mask has a crack running down the left side of the face that has been repaired with glue. On custom presentation stand. H370 W150 D115mm est $600 — $1,000

31 A Bronze Age