Papua New Guinea

This introduction and following series of related posts on shamanism serve as an online version of our 2017 fall exhibition, ‘Balancing The Universe: Shamanic Amulets, Instruments and Costumes’. We also have a full color photo catalog available of the all the pieces in the show and 12 color postcards of selected pieces. Scroll down to see catalog and cards at end of this post.

You have likely heard the term ‘Shaman’, but who were – or, are they? Shamanism is an intriguing phenomenon.
Since the beginning of humanity, there has been a need to cure the ailing, and to integrate the physical and spiritual worlds. This universal need gave rise to the art of healing or, ‘Shamanism’. A shaman is a highly trained and disciplined, man or woman, who can enter the spirit world at will to communicate with and influence spirits in service to their community. They have been the keepers of knowledge, the healers, the priests, and the philosophers in virtually all societies around the globe.

Animism, the belief that all things have souls, is another globally shared phenomenon and forms the spiritual origins of the rituals and traditions that most of us in the modern western world see as mysterious. But what is art, science or religion without mystery? Art and spirit converge in this show to take you on a journey into the inspiring and enlightening unknown.

All shaman have a unique repertoire of amulets, instruments, and costumes essential to their own culture. This exhibition includes a wide range of spiritual artifacts personally collected by David Bardwick over the last fifteen years from Nepal, Nagaland and Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand, and across the Indonesian Islands.

Shamanism is a matter of curiosity for those unfamiliar with its conventions, but it endures as a universal healing method and path to the spirit world which are integral parts of daily life for billions of people around the world

The catalog includes a dedication and personal forward from the collector, David Bardwick, of the David Alan Collection, and text on the history of Shamanism and of shamanism specific to each of the locations/cultures represented. — Exhibition Catalog from the Balancing The Universe: Shamanic Amulets, Instruments and Costume. A full color, 72 page catalog of almost all of the Shaman objects in the exhibition. $14.

Postcards of selected pieces from the Shamanic Objects exhibition at David Alan Collection. they are a collection of pieces from Nepal, Vietnam , Myanmar and from several different islands in Indonesia. They are all authentic, rare objects used by Shaman priests for healing and for other various tribal rituals performed for the good of the community — 12 color postcards for $12. Selected shaman pieces from the Balancing The Universe exhibition.

SULAWESI, Greater Sunda Islands (first 2 images):

'Lupong Manang' - Shaman’s Medicine Carrier/Backpack with Healing Figures (rare), South Sulawesi, Indonesia, Toraja tribe, Mid 20th c, Wood, The Shaman made his own medicine kit to contain items for healing, protections and predictions – such as special teeth, stones and other items. The figures on the exterior correspond to illnesses and other conditions or ailments. 19” x 9 ½” x 10”, $2200. — ‘Lupong Manang’ – Shaman’s Medicine Carrier/Backpack with Healing Figures (rare), South Sulawesi, Indonesia, Toraja tribe, Mid 20th c, Wood

Shaman made their own medicine kits, including wooden backpacks, to contain items for healing, protections and predictions – such as special teeth, stones and other items. The figures on the exterior correspond to illnesses and other conditions or ailments. 19” x 9 ½” x 10”, $2200.

Shaman’s Medicine Box, Sulawesi, Indonesia, Toraja tribe, Early 20th c, Wood, patinated with use and age. Container for medicinal, herbs for healing. 14 ¼” x 9 ¼” x 8”, $290. — Shaman’s Medicine Box, Sulawesi, Indonesia, Toraja tribe, Early 20th c, Wood

Container for medicinal, herbs for healing. 14 ¼” x 9 ¼” x 8”, $290.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:

Played in pairs for the initiation ceremony for boys. The flute had the power to be voices of the spirits. The anthropomorphic figures or Wusear are specific to these flutes and were inserted into the top when not in use to prevent evil spirits from entering the sacred instruments. They were kept in the homes of the shaman and it was taboo for women and children to see them. 55” x 9 ½” x 8”, $9500. SOLD