Masks and Figure Heads: Traditionally the masks where used in the "men’s" house. I have seen documentaries that show these strange and often grotesque faces hanging from the gloomy roof. Missionaries seemed obsessed with defining such images as false gods, but in most primitive cultures these are not idols but protective images whose intent is to be worse than evil that might be faced in the future. In Papua the closest thing to a god image is probably the crocodile, which is the most reproduced image in all river tribes. Other animal forms are found and some are used to protect individual houses or canoes.
Figures: Figures are again found largely in the men’s house but may be used to protect individual houses. "Sprite Figures" are found throughout Papua and are the embodiment of an individual, usually deceased. There are photos of abandoned houses which are occupied by figures of lost comrades. Animals, and of course the crocodile, are often found represented in this type of carving.
Weapons for hunting and defence: These include everything from bone knives and stone axes to spears and shields, the latter varying from very colourfully decorated bark or wooded protection to the very rare wild boar hide shield found in this collection. There are also examples of almost a hundred different arrow heads plus a very interesting war club.
Throne and Amulet: This collection includes a large chair or throne with carved mask in garamut, a very heavy, hard wood from the forests of Papua. With this is a rare chief’s amulet of clay and shell.
Musical instruments: There are examples of whistles made of bamboo and clay, as well as carved and decorated slit drums of different sizes, with the largest being over 8ft. long with beautifully carved heads of a crocodile at each end and two very beautiful wooden carved horns.
Pottery: One of the most outstanding parts of this collection is the examples of pots and bowls of all sizes and shapes. The pottery of Papua is often referred to as the "Wedgewood" of the primitive world. Represented are many examples of different and rare tribal masterpieces, all decorated in unusual ways, as well as many figurines and decorated pot supports.
Storyboards: This is a more recent art form developed in Papua, but one that is very collectable. A group of river tribes were encouraged by missionaries to turn their tribal stories into wooden reliefs: the results simply must be seen! Here we have small to over 8ft long storyboards, all by different village artists, all outstanding examples of carving as well as informative pictures of the life of Papuans.
House Poles or Totems: There are six wooden house poles which traditionally were used to decorate the "Men’s" House. These are each made by a different artist and represent different tribal styles. All of them are of a usable size.
Miscellaneous: The collection also includes basket work and unusually household utensils, etc.
