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Lot 117
ERNEST HENRY GRISET (1843-1907) A STUDY OF MR. BRYCE MCMURDO WRIGHT'S SHELLS both initialled E.H.S., inscribed & dated 1876 pencil with watercolour Each: 9.5 x 16.5cm / 3 3/4 x 6 1/2in two mounted within one frame Bryce McMurdo Wright was a colourful character: a leading gemstone, fossil, shell and ethnographica dealer of his time and an ambitious entrepreneur. He held a premises opposite the British Museum at one point, and had established an international network of runners sourcing his wares for him. He was very successful, and had a number of high-profile clients, until he over-expanded and had to file for bankruptcy. Late in his life he ran afoul of the authorities for producing counterfeits and filed for bankruptcy once again before his death. Ernest Henry Griset painted the only known depiction of the dealer (except for a photograph). For another work by Griset, see the following lot.
Lot 248
Ethnographica - Two Dayak (Sarawak, Borneo) cylindrical containers, possibly for blowpipe darts (sumpit) or for Shamanic medicinal use, each formed from a broad section of bamboo with plaited rattan and fibre decoration, one with chevron decoration to the lower body domed push-on cover, 19cm high, having green bead and coiled metal toggle and a pierced hardwood terminal, the second inset to the push-on cover with a monkey skull, 15cm high, with hardwood 'netsuke'-style toggle of figures and snakes, and a flint terminal (2) Provenance - see lot 246. Condition: Minor splits to cover of first, and more significant splits to same of second. General wear commensurate with age and use
Lot 245
Ethnographica - Rare Marquesas Islands carved hardwood stilt step or tapuva'e, late 18th or early 19th Century, probably iron wood (casuarina equisetifolia), finely stone-and/or shell-carved with a traditional tiki figure having elaborate geometrically-incised curved headdress, large high eyebrows over almondine eyes with scroll terminals, scarification or tattoo marks to jawline, hands placed upon stomach, squatting upon incised knees, 24cm high (truncated), on later oval plinth, 25.5cm high overall. Provenance - Local private vendor Condition: Fine patina and quality of carving. Damage - Two minor pin holes to headdress, plus a few dints to highpoints of same. Old splits and edge scuffs/losses to rear of stilt as per images. Left nipple missing (very old loss). Similar old losses to kneecaps. Missing tapering section beneath feet of tiki (probably around 3 inches), front edge beneath knees is a lighter colour. Screwed into a later base
Lot 246
Ethnographica - Kenyah/Kayan Dayak Kalimantan (Sarawak, Borneo) 'Headhunters' shield (klau or kliau), of typical form painted in red and black pigments with a demon face and with all-over tufts of hair, four rattan bands, further figural decoration and carved wooden handle verso, 115cm tall - Provenance - Walter Francis De Vere Skrine (b.1889), who aged 19 travelled to Sarawak and spent twenty years in the Civil Service there, including a period as District Governor. He was released from the Service in 1928 due to the economic crash, and presumably returned home with this and other artefacts at that time. Thence by descent Condition: Splits to both ends of shield. Some rubbing to same, and to edges. Minor hair loss. General wear consistent with age
Lot 247
Ethnographica - Dayak (Sarawak, Borneo) etched bamboo container, possibly Iban people, Skrang River, decorated with Malay-influenced scrollwork with red-brown 'dragon's blood' or jereang pigment, pierced with two holes and tapering to one end, 98cm long Provenance - see previous lot. Condition: Minor losses to pointed tip, tight cracking to both ends, formed in two sections with brackets later?, metal sleeve inside, general light rubbing and wear commensurate with age - **General condition consistent with age
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