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Queensland, AustraliaAn ancient Aboriginal fighting club. The head carved in “pineapple” form while the shaft handle has finely fluted motif along its entirety. Ancient battle loss to the head, with an all over deep glossy dark patina. Circa 1850′s or earlier. Formerly belonging to the Richard Berry Collection Melbourne. Unmounted. Length: 83 cm or 32.7 inches. |
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Artist: Lily Karedada, Born 1921A beautiful bark painting by the well known Artist Lily Karadada. known for her classic depictions of Wandjina spirits. Lily is in all major Australian private and institutional collections, as well as any significant collection of Aboriginal art internationally. Though she mainly uses acrylic paint on canvas these days, here we have an earlier example painted using natural ochre pigments on eucalyptus bark. We would presume this painting to have been executed in the 1980′s, it is in fine condition, with some very minor muting of the pigments and fine but stable splits on the bark. This is common with barks of this age. Dimensions: 65 x 38 cm or 25.6 x 15 inches. |
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Gammon Ranges Area, South Australia, AustraliaAn attractive Aboriginal throwing club. Not to be mistaken with later mission work due to the pyro-incised motif, this is the real deal. The bulbous head and shaft handle with burnt curvilinear motif, possibly a later addition. Dark glossy patina, in excellent condition. Circa 1890-1900. Unmounted. Length: 55 cm or 21.7 inches. |
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South West Queensland, AustraliaAn attractive South West Queensland decorated boomerang. The Aboriginal people of this region were known for the abstract decoration on the front surface along with the signature carved triangular ends. This is a fantastic and very old example, the motif beautifully executed, and in truly perfect condition. Unmounted. Circa 1860′s. Length: 72 cm or 25.2 inches. |
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Port Headland Area, Western Australia, AustraliaA robust old Aboriginal fighting shield. Hardwood; the front in cylindrical ovoid form, with remnant ochre decoration. The solid lug handle with evidence of extensive use. Dark glossy patina, in excellent condition. circa 1880′s. Unmounted. Length: 87 cm or 34.3 inches. |
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Northern South Australia, AustraliaA large heavy and serious fighting boomerang. The front surface with incised linear fluted motif. This would be my choice for carrying into warfare, with its dual purpose of being used as a club, but also having the ability to be thrown at your enemy. The incised decoration making it attractive as well as deadly. Circa 1850′s or earlier in excellent condition. Unmounted. Length: 87 cm or 34.3 inches. |
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Queensland, AustraliaAn elegant Aboriginal throw stick. Hardwood with perfectly balanced cylindrical form, tapering to sharp points at each end, making it twice as effective. Dark black glossy patina, circa 1870′s. Unmounted. Formerly belonging to the Grant Husband Collection Northern Territory Length: 72 cm or 28.3 inches. |
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Northern Queensland, AustraliaAn ancient Queensland Aboriginal water carrying vessel. Carved from tropical soft wood in deep stout form the outside surface still displaying remnant ochre decoration. Pierced on both tips to thread a bark fibre strap for carrying. Circa 1850′s; formerly belonging to the Richard Berry Collection Melbourne. Dimensions: 26 x 14 cm or 10.2 x 5.5 inches. |
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Murray River Area, South Eastern Australia, AustraliaAn old, and perfectly balanced Aboriginal returning boomerang. This is a right handed example, and though it has been incredibly well used, it remains in perfect condition. Dark chocolate glossy patina, circa 1850′s. Unmounted. Length: 64 cm or 25.2 inches. |
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Central Australia, AustraliaA very old and well used Central Australian coolamon. Deeply textured inner and outer surfaces. The underside of the bowl much lighter than the inner surface from being used extensively on the sandy ground of Central Australia. Notably is a traditional spinafex resin repair to where the wood has worn through. Formerly belonging to the Richard Berry Collection Melbourne; in excellent condition. Circa 1850′s Dimensions: 53.5 x 22.5 cm or 21.1 x 8.9 inches. |
