Canoe prow

This unique and enigmatic sculpture is one of the treasures of the Oldman Collection. The collector William Oldman attributed the scuplture to Kaniet, a small island north of Papua New Guinea.The sculpture is generally thought to be a canoe carving, though even the correct orientation of the sculpture is in doubt. It is usually depicted as it is shown here, with what appears to be a central human head facing slightly upwards. When it is rotated 90 degrees, a shape that might be a seabird becomes more prominent. There is a groove along one edge, which has apparently enabled the sculpture to be glued or lashed to another piece of wood: this supports Oldman's theory that it was a part of a canoe prow.

Micronesian outliers

Kaniet is one of a group of small islands lying north and west of the Admiralty Islands group. Variously called 'Micronesian outliers' or 'para-Micronesia', they also include Wuvulu (Matty Island), Hermit, Ninigo, and Luf. The cultural affiliation of these islands seems to be with Micronesia rather than with Papua New Guinea. However, they are sometimes said to reflect Indonesian as well as Micronesian and Melanesian influences. Their geographic position and strong canoe-building traditions support this theory.