Australian and Oceanic Art

ID - 408985 - A large vintage carved, painted timber trading mask with inlaid shell eyes and red tassel details, wood, cowrie shells, dyed grass fibre, and pigments, attributed to a Tambanum Villiage maker, Sepik Province, PNG

ID - 408986 - A vintage timber mask with carved relief designs, some picked out with pigment and inlaid shells, attributed to a maker from the Sepik region of PNG

As Found, minor marks including light scrapes, to surface, light cracks along wood grain

ID - 408987 - Nigel Bolda Hunter (Jawoyn language group, Bulladermo, NT) 'Secret Spring' 1998, guache on paper, signed 'Bolda', catalogue number BH613, date and artist statement on verso

Dimensions of Frame

ID - 408988 - Dotty Fejo (contemporary, Larakia language group, Darwin region) turtles and bush foods 2006, synthetic polymer on canvas, unframed

Fejo's practice includes painting, print making and murals, particularly in the Darwin area. Her subjects include a particular focus on traditional foods of the Larrakia people, artist name, title and dated on verso, no additional documentation

ID - 408989 - A vintage painting of a kangaroo against a dotted field, pigment on bark, attributed to a First Nations maker, Australia, bound with brown string to branch supports at two edges

ID - 408990 - A vintage painting of swordfish and dugong, pigment on bark, attributed to a First Nations maker from the Arnhem land region, Northern Australia, bound along two edges with branch supports using grass fibre

ID - 408991 - An impressive vintage timber mask with carved crocodile, pigment, with details of inlaid shells and painted stitched fibre border, attributed to a maker from the Sepik region of PNG

As Found, minor marks including light scrapes, to surface

ID - 408992 - An impressive large vintage carved, painted timber mask attributed to a Sepik region maker, PNG, wood, shell, pigments

ID - 408993 - A magnificent Ancestral mask of carved wood, cassowary feathers, boar tusk, shell, clay, plant fibres and pigments, attributed to a maker from Tambanum village, Sepik region, PNG

As Found, loss to boar tusk elements, clay and shell elements at brow

ID - 408994 - Winnie Reid Nakamarra (b C1961, Pintupi Language Group) 'Lupul Rock Hole' 2014, Synthetic Polymer Paint on Linen, Unsigned

Notations on Verso Include:
Mimi Art Gallery (stamped)
Artist Name, Title of Work, Year, Media, Size
Catalogue Number 161-474
Mimi Art Gallery is an Aboriginal Art Studio Operating in Alice Springs

Based Around Kintore (Wulungurru), Nakamarra's paintings often depict Lupul Rockhole in her Country, using bold shapes, strong colour and tonal contrasts. Nakamarra has been represented by a number of galleries, Including Mimi Art Gallery and Honey Ant Gallery

As Found, Minor Paint Flaking at Canvas Edge, Top and Bottom left

Canvas Dimensions

ID - 408995 - Michael Nelson Jagamara (also Spelt Jagamarra or Tjakamarra, B C1946-9, Warlpiri/luritja Language Group, Papunya Nt) 'Tjukurrpa', Fine-art Limited Edition Print on Paper, Editioned 177/500, Signed (printed) and Titled under Print Margin

Jagamara, a senior elder and artist based in Papunya, is an internationally recognised painter whose practice began with sand paintings, body painting and paintings on objects such as shields. Over time he also Began painting in acrylic on canvas; Examples of his work are held in many Australian state and national institutions, and in private collections in Australia and internationally. Jagamara has exhibited widely in Australia and internationally; and has been Recognised by the NATSIA Prize (1984), and finalist in many others, including the Wynne Prize (2008). In 1993 he Received the Order of Australia for services to Aboriginal Art.

As Found, Minor Marks to Mount Board

Frame Dimensions

ID - 408996 - A finely carved vintage wooden spirit mask with bird above the face, eyes of inlaid cowrie shells, c1950s-1960s, attributed to a maker from the Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea

ID - 408997 - A vintage painting of aquatic animals against a ground of cross-hatching, pigment on bark, attributed to a First Nations maker from the Arnhem land region, Northern Australia, mounted on mdf for hanging

As Found, loss of pigment in some areas

ID - 408998 - A vintage painting of birds and snakes, pigment on bark, attributed to a First Nations maker, Australia

As Found, loss of pigment in some areas

ID - 408999 - A vintage painting of animals and leaves surrounded by a dotted background, pigment on bark, attributed to a First Nations maker, Australia

As Found, loss of pigment in some areas, five small cracks along grain at edges

ID - 409000 - An fine obsidian spear head with tip of wooden spear head attached, stylised face and other carvings, attributed to a maker from the Admiralty Islands

ID - 409001 - A vintage ceremonial axe handle of carved wood with woven plant fibres decorating the body of the handle leaving the fan-shaped end bare, accompanied by detachable stone blade, attributed to a maker from the Mt Hagen, Jimni Valley, West Highland region of PNG

Worn on special occasions or used as a form of currency, the stone axe head would be fitted to the end opposite the wide fan-shaped end

As Found, small crack along grain of fan-shaped end

Dimensions of handle

ID - 409002 - Three vintage strings of 'Job's Tears' seed beads with feature elements, two of shell and one of gourd, attributed to makers from Papua New Guinea

As Found, chip to one shell element

Dimensions of largest length

ID - 409003 - Four stone axe heads, including two attributed to ceremonial axes by makers from the Mt Hagen, Jimni Valley, West Highland region of PNG

Dimensions of largest

ID - 409004 - A length of vintage belt or necklace of beads and bottle caps threaded on fishing line, range of caps including Wewak Cordials (PNG), residue of elastic strands, attributed to a maker from PNG

As Found, breaks and repairs to fishing line, losses to beads in some places

ID - 409005 - Two carved wooden ancestor figures with inlaid shell eyes, timber, pigment, cowrie shell, attributed to makers from the Sepik River region, PNG, female figure attributed to a maker from Palembei

Dimensions of each approx

ID - 409006 - A vintage ceremonial axe handle of carved wood with with woven plant fibres decorating the body of the handle, attributed to a maker from the Mt Hagen, Jimni Valley, West Highland region of PNG

Worn on special occasions or used as a form of currency, a stone axe head would be fitted to the end opposite the wide fan-shaped end

Accompanied by the packaging in which the work was shipped to Australia from Mt Trinity Teacher's College, Mt Hagen in November 1970

Dimensions of handle approximately

ID - 409007 - A magnificent vintage kundu drum with drum skin of crocodile skin, carved crocodile and other animals along with relief design picked out in white lime

ID - 409008 - A fine, rare early obsidian-tipped spear bound to a reverse tapering reed shaft with resin and binding, polychrome pigment design set with small shells threaded on string, attributed to a maker from the Admiralty Islands

Pre 2022, a private collection, Canberra; Pre 2007, a private collection, Canberra, catalogue tag attached, possibly from a research collection prior to this date

ID - 409009 - An impressive, finely made and rare multi pronged spear of bamboo with a braided band about the head, attributed to a maker from Papua New Guinea

ID - 409010 - A ceremonial spear with carved tip, string wrapped shaft and design in pigments, attributed to a maker from the Maramba region of PNGA

ID - 409011 - Four bamboo fishing spears, variety of tip designs, attributed to makers from PNG

Dimensions of longest

ID - 409012 - Seven fine bamboo fishing spears, variety of tip designs, attributed to makers from PNG

Dimensions of longest

ID - 409013 - A large vintage Tongan Ngatu (Tapa) Cloth, with repeat designs of the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Tonga, animals, trees and the sun

As Found, creases from folding during storage

ID - 409014 - A vintage painting of a woman with a waterbird, pigment on bark, attributed to a First Nations maker from the Arnhem Land region, Northern Australia, bound along two edges with branch supports using grass fibre, dyed cotton fibre added for hanging

ID - 409015 - A magnificent vintage necklace of cowrie shells, attributed to a maker from PNG

As Found, prior repair, replacement of filament recommended

Dimensions, approx circumference

ID - 409016 - A carved timber cockerel with shell-inlay eyes, and a second smaller carved bird, wood, pigment and cowrie shell, attributed to makers from the Sepik River region, PNG

As Found, loss of one inlay cowrie shell eye to cockerel

ID - 409017 - Two carved wooden ancestral figures, attributed to makers from the lower Sepik River region, PNG

Dimensions of largest

ID - 409018 - Two beautiful necklaces of cowrie shells and red bead/red sandalwood seeds, each with a pendent including larger cowrie shells, attributed to a maker from PNG

Dimensions necklace with circular pendent, approx circumference

ID - 409019 - Three pieces of signed studio pottery by PNG makers, including a A signed studio pottery dish with design of duck and fish, signed to base (PNG '97 and indistinct, possibly 'Hinamao'), a pitcher with an incised geometric border, signed to base (PNG and indistinct, possibly 'Frank Eafeare'), and a small vase with border relief design of arches and serpentine meander, marked to base 'Tayas KTU, PNG'

Dimensions of pitcher

ID - 409020 - A vintage carved wooden paddle-shaped club with several incised pigment-filled lines where the head and shaft meet, resembling a Tongan pakipaki

As Found, chip to tip

ID - 409021 - A carved walking stick with snake wrapped around the shaft and inlaid eyes, deep green pigment on timber

As Found, loss to inlay, wear consistent with use to pigment

ID - 409022 - A timber walking stick with bands of carved designs, including figural, attributed to a maker from the Trobriand Islands

ID - 409023 - A carved timber walking stick with looped handle depicting a crocodile, attributed to a maker from the Sepik River region, Papua New Guinea

As Found, cracks to handle and crocodile, do not detract from display

ID - 409024 - A very fine carved timber Sali ceremonial club with grip of woven plant fibres, extensive carving along the shaft and across the head, attributed to a maker from Fiji

As Found, repair and a small chip to tip of the head

ID - 409025 - A large vintage carved, painted timber mask with carved crocodile and inlaid shell eyes, wood, cowrie shells, and pigments, attributed to a Sepik region maker, PNG

ID - 409026 - A vintage Polynesian Tapa Cloth, with concentric geometric borders about a central panel, attributed to a maker from Fiji

As Found, minor edges lifting in some areas

ID - 409027 - A vintage timber mask with carved crocodile head and painted designs of natural pigments, attributed to a maker from the Sepik region of PNG

As Found, minor marks including light scrapes, to surface

ID - 409028 - A vintage gable mask and figural sculpture of woven plant fibres, cowrie shells, cassowary feathers and pigments, attributed to makers from eastern provinces of PNG, sculpture to an Asaro maker, mask to a middle Sepik river or Black River maker

Dimensions of figure

ID - 409029 - Two paintings, including Wade (Krowella) Williams (Wiradjuri people, central NSW) 'Goanna Dreaming' 2000, synthetic polymer on canvas, SLR 'W Williams', titled and signed to verso, and Pauline Smith (Imanpa, central Australia), Untitled (snake on dot field), synthetic polymer on canvas, gallery label and catalogue number to verso

Dimensions largest frame

ID - 409030 - An exceptional vintage ceremonial axe handle of carved wood with fine woven plant fibres and hand-made string decorating the body of the handle, and loops of twisted fibre chains at the base of the shaft and the fan-shaped end, attributed to a maker from the Mt Hagen, Jimni Valley, West Highland region of PNG

Worn on special occasions or used as a form of currency, the stone axe head would be fitted to the end opposite the wide fan-shaped end

As found, wear, including minor losses to weaving

ID - 409031 - A pair of bilma percussion sticks with pokerwork design for the tourist market by an unknown maker, possibly Central Australia

Dimensions of each

ID - 409032 - A vintage painting of blue tongue lizards and snake, pigment on an oval bark ground, attributed to a First Nations artist, Australia

As Found, wear to pigment at edges, some minor chips to edges

ID - 409033 - An old lime gourd with intricate in the round incised Massim design, attributed to a maker from the Trobriand Islands, accompanied by a small woven lidded basket for the tourist market, attributed to a maker from the Southern Highlands

As Found, lime gourd without stopper

Dimensions of lime gourd

ID - 409034 - A vintage mace-headed carved timber tavatava club, attributed to a Fijian maker

ID - 409035 - Four vintage boomerangs, three with pokerwork designs for the tourist market, attributed to First Nations makers, two possibly from Central Australia

Dimensions of largest

ID - 409036 - A vintage intricately carved ceremonial club, attributed to a Fijian maker, of hardwood, shaft bound with hand braided rope in two colours

ID - 409037 - Two carved timber clubs with grips and hanging thongs of woven and braided plant fibre, for the tourist market, attributed to makers from Fiji

Dimensions of largest

ID - 409038 - Three beautifully carved pieces attributed to makers from the Trobriand Islands, including a shell-inlaid walking stick with carved snake design along the shaft, double-handled bowl with design of birds and snakes, and a charred panel with intricate relief pattern topped with a squatting figure

Dimensions of walking stick

As Found, one piece of inlay for restoration