Collected in the Central Desert in the 1940's this bullroarer with human hair string, could also be used as a hairpin. Circle designs either side, with some red ochre left on it. Old patination. Meas: 38 x 4 cms.

Collected by a church mission worker at Yuendumu after a ceremony in about 1968. hard to show in the image but it is distinctly 'dished' in the centre. Not sure what its purpose was but I have not seen another like its way too big to be worn as a Kurdaitcha shoe. Perhaps it represents some sort of nest. Measures approximately 390mm in length and 12cm high - in very good condition and offered with no reserve.

Here we have an aboriginal bullroarer. This piece was collected in the first half of last century. It is stone cut with some carving on both sides. It measures 10" (25.5cm) in length and is all in good condition.

Here we have an aboriginal bullroarer. This piece was collected in the first half of last century. It is all stone cut with carving on the front. It measures 13 inches (33cm) in length. There is a crack running the entire length which has been repaired at some stage (with glue). Still a very nice piece which would make a great addition to any collection.

Collected many years ago at Lake Menindee - NSW by a station hand. Condition is good, there are many carved marks and lines to the surface. The bottom is concave. Meas: 37 cms with base diam of 5cms.

This early message board is typical in design of the boards of the western desert. Both side are carved and ochred in red, and has a glossy old patina.Meas: 71 x 8 cms.

Carved in the traditional designs of the central desert, this hairpin/board retains it's red/brown ochre and measures 41 x 5 cms. Some surface cracks, and minor chipping to one edge. Collected in the 1950's.

Collected in the early half of the 20th C. in the Murchison Dristict, West Australia, an Aboriginal Churinga of flat and convex surface on each side. Incised with circular pattern and angular straight lines on both sides. There is a hand cut hole which probably suggests that this piece was used as a bullroarer at some stage. Measures 10.25 inches x 1.5 inches.

Measures 5.5 inches (14 cm). This is a wooden pointing stick, used for casting death spells. It was collected by Don Busbridge - County Services Officer (South Aust) near Papunya (Pintubi Tribe) early 1960's. This is guaranteed to be a genuine 'death pointer' - Don stated that he saw it being used ceremonially. It has a patina commensurate with use.

Measures 19 x 3.5 inches (49 x 9 cm). This old board has an attractive and detailed design. It is clearly old and has a weathered patina. It was collected in the 1930's by a schoolteacher in Central Australia. Some fragmentation to one end but otherwise fine.

Measures 24 x 2.5 inches (61 x 6.5 cm). This old board has an attractive design. It is clearly old and has a nice patina. It was collected in the 1930's by a schoolteacher in Central Australia.

Small intricately carved aboriginal bullroarer with human hair string attached. Collected in the fifties in western Australia by a prison warden. Remnants of red ochre overall. Measures 16.5cm or 6.5 inches in length.

Collected in the Central Desert in the 1940's this bullroarer with human hair string, could also be used as a hairpin. Circle designs either side, with some red ochre left on it. Old patination. Meas: 38 x 4 cms.

Very rarely seen, and a superb example. The fine slanting 'slash' incisions are reminiscent of those on some of the best stone cyclons from the Darling River Valley. Length is 15cm

Collected in central Australia in the fifties. This wooden bullroaorer has triple carved meandering lines with dots to one side, and the reverse has five lines carved in arcs with a row of dots to the edge. Ochred in red, good patina with human hair string. Slight damage to the top, and some chipping to the bottom side. Meas: 24 x 4.5 cms.

Collected in the seventies, carved in concentric squares, and covered in red ochre. Meas: 14 x 2.5 inches

I am offering here one aboriginal bullroarer 28 cm long, with deep incisions in a dark reddish hardwood. It has a crack at one end, check the pics. It seems that ochre pigments and clay marks were not applied to it, or that it has been cleaned.

I am offering here three aboriginal pointing bones (24 cm for the longest) from central Australia.

Contrary to ebay standards, I will provide the winning bidder with details about name of field collector, paper work and picture showing one of the bone pointers, to prove without ambiguity it was shown in a Danish museum exhibit in 1979.

Amongst the central Australian native there is no such thing as a belief in natural death (actually it rather common among the pacific, and for example in the Sepik, nobody is dying from disease, but from attack of a witch/sorcerer, a Sanguma). People are dying from Magic. In ART OF THE FIRST AUSTRALIANS, Camperdown Australia, 1970, John Carrick relates that, Australian aboriginal sorcerers were universally feared; they could cause death or injury to a victim by projecting an evil spirit into him with a 'pointing bone'. Bone pointing was practised by many groups. Among the Aranda of central Australia, the bone was cursed and pointed secretly at the victim with chants. Unless some medicine man could remove the evil magic, the boned person would die.

Often the dying man will whisper in the ear of a medicine man, a Railtchawa, the name of the man whose magic is killing him. Then, there will be a way to revenge... by the mean of a Kurdaitcha party. The man who is going to play this part is chosen by elders, and wearing shoes made of a thick pad of emu feathers matted together with human blood drawn from the arm of some young men. He will go through very painful and serious initiation, and will kill the victim, without leaving traces... Pointing the bone, revenge by Kurdaitcha party, other kind of magic...

Recently a bone has been pointed at the prime minister John Howard, within a different framework, since from a politically correct point of view it was interpretated as : Mr Clark said in the Prime Minister's case the ceremony had two purposes - to lift 'the cloud of misery' occupying his mind or to enlighten him about the future of the country and Aboriginal affairs. (April 2004). Maybe since exceptionally the bone has been pointed by a woman, who was not face to face with the victim, it did not had its full magical power...

Condition : This is a set of three aboriginal killing bones, all collected from a Walpiri tribe member, in Yuendumu area, 300 km west of alice springs in the 1960s. One of them has a glob of spinifex gum. They were shown in a museum in 1979 (details including pics of one of the three bone pointers will be included). With this auction I will add a copy of a 1970 rare article on Kurdaitcha parties.

They are in excellent condition, and the pics do not do justice, it is not showing their nice honey patina. It is part of a collection I acquired. I am selling part of it in order to finance a collecting trip soon.

This is a very good cast of a Stone Churinga and would have been cast by a museum as a display copy. Piece is very heavy and it is a good copy. Very interesting totemic design.

Glassy use patina, wear, and encrustation. Length: 23cm. (9inches). It speaks for itself!

The stone appears to be limestone, and not particularly soft - apparent very long excposure (centuries?) to the weather appears to have caused the erosian, particularly on one side. The other face has an almost lichen-like dark deposit which I observed on another very wonderful old cyclon I sold recently. Though you can see that I aided its stability for the photos, the piece had a 'prepared' base for standing. I think it is possible that some of the grooving (now enlarged) relates to original incisions. I acquired this piece at a Guy Earl-Smith tribal sale some time ago. It is unbroken, and there is no doubt of its authenticity. I personally see this classic 'whale's tooth' shape as the archetypical cyclon. (Are there possibly wider (pre-historic) 'Oceanic' influences here...?) Generally I think looked upon as highly significant ceremonially, pre-dating most other Aboriginal artefacts, and still shrouded in mystery, it is not surprising that good cyclons arouse strong collector interest. Height is 18cm (7+ inches)

Early Aboriginal Large Message Board - Churinga - . Front decorated with circular patterns in a continuation form of one large and 2 small with zigzag fluting and what looks like track marks, the back has much finer spirals and simpler zigzag fluting and has more track marks possibly that of emu's. Smooth glossy patina throughout with evident wear from use on flutings . Measures 26 inches x 4 inches.

This Aboriginal Ritual Circumcision Carving has a cord of Human Hair still attached to it. We can find no rasp marks on the surface but it has an aged patina and smooth exterior. It is 18cm (7 inches) long and the spun human hair cord is about 1.2m (3ft 11 inches) long. There are carvings on both sides of the item and it is in good condition but has been damaged at the end. This type of ritual item was commonly called a bull roarer and was used after the adolescent boys were circumcised as they were made to live away from all women until there wound was totally healed. These roarers were spun around by the cord and made a noise so that any women near them would be warned to stay away. We also think that because of the carvings they could have also been a type of churinga for the youth who had been turned into a man by his ordeal. We purchased this ritual object from an elderly lady who received it as part of the estate of her fatherinlaw when he died in 1947. Her father in law had worked in the mining industry for most of his life and had traveled extensively in outback Australia and on occasion in New Guinea. She knew he had stopped working in the late 1930's and so everything in his collection had been found prior to that time. She could not remember where he had found this item but we think it is probably from the Central or Western Desert regions. We would be happy to hear if anyone has any other ideas about its origin. No matter where this was made it is a genuine old ritual object which was created prior to 1930 and items of this quality are rarely found outside of the auction rooms of Sotherbys and other major auction houses.

An Aboriginal message board collected in the early 1950's - encrusted surface with traces of ochre and pigment and well carved to both sides in the style often seen in North West Australia. From an Broken Hill prospectors estate. Measures approximately 13 inches or 34cm in length - offered at no reserve.

Aboriginal Bullroarer, Bull Roarer C1900, - Incised lines. 13 1/4 inches x 1 3/4 inches; 335mm x 46mm. In excellent condition, but the hole is pulled through, and there is a small sliver and a tiny nick from one edge, please see photos. Beautiful circular and horseshoe shaped decorations, very fine lines. Made from a hard wood, traces of ochre.

These message stick or boards have a huge range of styles and forms. This example was collected in 1960s and has a simple iconography on one side. The meaning of these symbols varied and was really only known at the time by the carver. This example is in good condition Length 21 inches Width 1.5 inches

Aboriginal Bullroar. Gibson Desert, Western Australia. Measures 8.5 inches x 1.75 inches, collected in the 40's. Slight chip to bottom tip probably from use. It is however an old chip. Good Patina

Australian aboriginal message stick circa 1960s. Round in cross section, incised and red ochred with nice patina. Measures approx.10 inches.Has a small blob of glue on one side where it was probably attached to some sort of display board, this could easily be removed with acetone.Pointed ends slightly worn. Would originate from somewhere in central Australia.

A central desert message board, finely carved and decorated with traditional designs, softwood and pigmented with red ochre. Collected in the 1960's. Meas: 24 x 4 inches.

Australian Aboriginal bullroarer with a cord made from human hair. Similar design on both sides of bullroarer (three symbols repeated). Piece has a chip on the base (see photo for details). The wooden bullroarer is 240mms in length and the cord is 960mms long, made from human hair and is very strong.

Incised markings - Worn patina from age and use - Rare ethnographic item. It measures approximately 10 inches or 25 cm.

A North Western Australian Aboriginal hair pin, originally collected in the 1920's. Carved from a hard wood, in narrow ovoid form, with linear incised motifs. There are three small holes, caused by natural knots in the wood. In excellent condition. Length: 46.5 cm or 18.3 inches

Cyclon of cylindriconical form, incised lines and circular bands.The function and meaning of these stones remains unknown. Collected in 1949 by a stockman working in the Northern Territory. Measure 24cm.

A message board of elongated leaf like form with incised interlocking design on the front. Traces of red ochre, glossy patina. Collected in the fifties, northern WA. meassures 61cm by 9.5cm.

A bullroarer from Fanny Bay NT, of leaf like shape with horizontal bands of carving. Traces of ochre, human hair string. Collected in the fifties. Measures 36cm by 7cm.

Pair of aboriginal Kadaitcha shoes, made of emu feathers and human hair. Tightly woven and in great condition for the age. Collected central australia in 1940's. Measures 23cm.

Kurdaitcha boots - Very old first half of the 1900's or earlier and in one South Australian family for several generations - These were very well made without the loose feather seen on the later ones the human hair is superbly woven. Very old looking string has been used too. These scarce boots were worn for ritual punishment by the 'kurdaitcha' man so as not to leave footprints. I have not seen a better pair for a long time. Measures approximately 8.5 inches 20 cm.

Central desert message board, oviod form. Both sides decorated with intricate incised detail, circular radiating patterns.Traces of orange ochre, old patina.This piece was collected in 1930 by a doctor, G Sheppard working in the region. Measurements 38cm by 6cm.

This is a very old aboriginal message stick. From the Derby Region of northern Australia. Collected from the Yamagee(?) Tribe in 1963. Deeply incised spirals and lines on both sides. The stick is in excelent condition. Measures 7.25 inches long x aprox 1.5 inches at widest point x aprox 3/8 inches thick.

This old piece from Central Australia was originally a bull roarer and at some stage the hole for the string has been filled with spinifex resin - has incised totemic carving to both sides applied red ochre pigment quite a bit of which has worn off with age and handling - there is also evidence that the piece has had some additional incised carving probably for ceremonial purposes - I would date it mid 1900's or earlier - measures approximately 17.5 inches or 45cm in length.

Finely incised on one side, and ochred in red with an overall patina, this hairpin was collected in the Kimberleys in the late sixties. Meas: 17 x 1.75 inches.

Paddle shaped bullroarer with carved ceremonial designs to both sides, some fire charring to the edges. Collected in S.Australia in the fifties. Meas: 18 x 3.5 inches.

I don't know much about aboriginal pieces so will just give you the information I was given with the piece. The bull roarer comes from the Christmas Creek station in the Kimberlys of Western Australia. It was deliberately broken by the initiate holding it in his teeth while being snapped by an elder as part of a male initiation ceremony. What I can tell you first hand is that it is very intricately carved all over one side. The reverse has a small symbol or clan totem of three lines. It is definitely pre 1960' s and is non metalled tooled. Good patina, damage as shown in Photo' s. Dimension: Length 39 cm. The cost of shipping and handling this Bullroarer to anywhere will be $10 by economy air. Insurance can be arranged on request.

This Churinga was collected from Kundili Station Western Australia in 1952. It was covered in Emu fat and ochre which I am told is OK for it is part of the ceremonies surrounding this piece. It was probably 20 years old when collected and is definitely non metal carved and a real ceremonial object. It has a few minor stable crack as shown in photo' s. It is an extremely textural piece with a simple but intriguing pattern. I am sure it will be of interest to a dedicated collector, I am happy to guarantee its authenticity. Dimension: Length 57 cm. The cost of shipping and handling this Churinga to anywhere will be $20 by economy air. Insurance can be arranged on request.

1920' s Aboriginal Message board. This is a fantastic old example of superb aboriginal artistry and workmanship. It comes from the Kimberleys in Western Australia and was collected in the late 1920' s. The original ochre is still in place but tragically the story is lost. It is definitely non metal tooled and of museum quality. Happy to guarantee the authenticity on this piece. I don' t know the meanings of the design but they are powerful in any language. The piece has a really solid presence. Length 35 cm. The cost of shipping and handling this message board to anywhere will be $20 by economy air. Insurance can be arranged on request.

This item is a small and narrow ceremonial bull roarer. It is decorated with deeply incised spiral and straight line grooves as depicted in the photo below (both sides are shown). The bull roarer is used primarily for cermonial purposes by the male members of the tribe. Many tourist grade bull roarers are available on the open market today, but this item is the true ceremonial artifact, most likely from Central Australia and made in the early 20th Century. This bull roarer is made out of mulga and has coloration reminiscent of an ochre finish. Length = 26 cm. Width = 3.5 cm. Weight = 18 gm. This item is in excellent condition, but it does have a hairline crack spanning the section between the hole and the adjacent tip. It still looks strong enough to support use with a cord.

This item is a ceremonial bull roarer decorated with deeply incised tribal bands as depicted in the photo below that shows both sides. The bull roarer is used primarily for cermonial purposes by the male members of the tribe. Many tourist grade bull roarers are available on the open market today, but this item is the true ceremonial artifact from the Pitjantjara tribe and made in the late 19th or early 20th Century. Length = 35 cm. Width = 5.3 cm. Weight = 120 gm. This item is in very good conditionIt does have a few minor dings to the edges, especially at the two ends. It is still one of the finest bull roarers we have ever seen.

This item is a rare medium sized Western Desert churinga (tjuringa) decorated on one side only with deeply chisled tribal markings depicting Emu tracks. These flat incised sacred boards were either stone or wood and were used in Central Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia but their names and uses varied widely. They are best described as symbolic representations closely associated with the ancestors of the Dreamtime. Young initiates are in fact told that it is an ancestor in visible form. These objects brought life and strength to individuals and fertility from the mythological being whose spirit animated a particular area. Churingas were either personally owned or communal possessions. They were used in sacred ceremonies and were the element that made the ritual most effective and brought the participants into the midst of the other world which inspired and sustained the tribe. When not in use the churinga was hidden in a cave or hut, but the spirit remained close to it giving it still vitality. The tribal churinga ensured perpetuation of plant and animal life needed for the support of people. The photo below depicts an overall and closeup view of the decorated side of this artifact made in the early to mid 20th Century. Length = 63 cm. Width = 6 cm. Weight = 360 gm. This item is made out of dark red brown mulga wood. It is in excellent condition and without damage except for a small natural knot only visible on the undecorated underside. This item is extremely rare and hard to find. I have been told that it is no longer legal to market these items within Australia and there may be restrictions in other countries as well. It is legal to market this item within the USA. If you live outside the USA, please check the civil code of your country before purchasing this item.

This item is a medium sized churinga (tjuringa) decorated on both sides with deeply chisled tribal markings. The material appears to be a soft gray stone, possibly slate. The age and origin for this piece is unknown and is therefore being offered for sale at my cost. These flat incised sacred boards were either stone or wood and were used in Central Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia but their names and uses varied widely. They are best described as symbolic representations closely associated with the ancestors of the Dreamtime. Young initiates are in fact told that it is an ancestor in visible form. These objects brought life and strength to individuals and fertility from the mythological being whose spirit animated a particular area. Churingas were either personally owned or communal possessions. They were used in sacred ceremonies and were the element that made the ritual most effective and brought the participants into the midst of the other world which inspired and sustained the tribe. When not in use the churinga was hidden in a cave or hut, but the spirit remained close to it giving it still vitality. The tribal churinga ensured perpetuation of plant and animal life needed for the support of people. The photo below depicts an overall and closeup view of one of the decorated sides of this artifact. Length = 18 cm. Width = 10 cm. Weight = 234 gm. It is in excellent condition and without damage except for natural surface cracks within the stone. I have been told that it is no longer legal to market these items within Australia and there may be restrictions in other countries as well. If you live outside the USA, please check the civil code of your country before purchasing this item. It is legal to market this item within the USA.

This item is a rare medium sized Western Desert churinga (tjuringa) decorated on one side only with deeply chisled tribal markings depicting the letter 'S'. These flat incised sacred boards were either stone or wood and were used in Central Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia but their names and uses varied widely. They are best described as symbolic representations closely associated with the ancestors of the Dreamtime. Young initiates are in fact told that it is an ancestor in visible form. These objects brought life and strength to individuals and fertility from the mythological being whose spirit animated a particular area. Churingas were either personally owned or communal possessions. They were used in sacred ceremonies and were the element that made the ritual most effective and brought the participants into the midst of the other world which inspired and sustained the tribe. When not in use the churinga was hidden in a cave or hut, but the spirit remained close to it giving it still vitality. The tribal churinga ensured perpetuation of plant and animal life needed for the support of people. The photo below depicts an overall and closeup view of the decorated side of this artifact made in the early to mid 20th Century. Length = 66 cm. Width = 7.5 cm. Weight = 380 gm. This item is made out of dark red brown mulga wood. It is in excellent condition and without damage except for a small chip on one end as depicted in the upper right of the photo. This item is extremely rare and hard to find. I have been told that it is no longer legal to market these items within Australia and there may be restrictions in other countries as well. It is legal to market this item within the USA. If you live outside the USA, please check the civil code of your country before purchasing this item.

This elegant example was collected around the Papunya area in 1937 by a police officer working there at the time. Beautifully incised on one side, this churinga has clearly been used and is quite a powerful piece. It measures 40cm in length. I am leaving on an extended trip and am selling off pieces this week that I have put aside for my own collection. I have been holding on to these and now I am listing some exciting gear, most of which is museum qulaity and all at no reserve.

This example was collected around 1965 and has some collection numbers which are unreadible. Attached is twine which when twirled makes a whiring noise which is supposed to awaken the spirits and bring them closer to the bearer. It is a good working example. The board measures 24cm in length. I am leaving on an extended trip and am selling off pieces this week that I have put aside for my own collection. I have been holding on to these and now I am listing some exciting gear, most of which is museum qulaity and all at no reserve.

Collected in the late sixties in the Kimberleys W.A, finely incised, {although different}, on both sides, this hairpin is in good condition with a shiny overall patina. Meas: 17.5 x 2 inches.

Aboriginal message board, large, with finely incised lines and dots to both sides. Red ochre, slightly convex, with an overall old patination. Meas: 22.5 x 4 inches.

This rare piece comes from a collection that was put together in 1910. It is quite rare (I have two) and used in ceremonial soucery events. It measures 18cm in length.

This message board or Churinga was collected in the 30's and has been clearly used. Incised all over, it has diamond shapes with interlocking key patterns on one side and 2 circular motifs on the other. Quite large it measures 69cm in length. This is a good example.

This Old bullroarer was collected around 1910 - 1915. Note the human hair string is still intact. This is a good old example. The board measures 36cm in length and the string measures around 80cm in length. These were whirled around to bring the spirit life closer to the bearer. Feel free to contact me for an accurate quote for shipping to your destination.

Aboriginal Ritual Murder shoes. Aboriginals didn' t need shoes or sandals to protect their feet. In the desert country however there was a primitive form of foot gear that was made from emu feathers and human or camel hair. These shoes were called kurdaitcha shoes and were feared amongst many of the tribes in Central Australia. The shoes were made with both ends being the same shape . It was said that no one could tell from the footprints in which direction the wearer was travelling. The kurdaitcha shoes had magical properties and it was believed by the Aboriginal that they left no tracks at all. These shoes were used for several purposes. They were supposed to have been worn by fugitives to obliterate their tracks. Their principle purpose was to assist in acts of sorcery or revenge. They were worn by an appointed tribal man when he was to punish those who had broken the unwritten tribal law. These shoes are in excellent condtion made from emu feathers and string and are approx 9 inches in length. Collected 1960s

Aboriginal Bullroar Gibson Desert, Western Australia Measures Measures 8.5 inches x 1.75 inches Slight chip to bottom tip probably from use. It is however an old chip. Good Patina.

Dating from the first half of the 20th Century. Beautifully incised with totemic markings to both sides, age worn patina and some hair string attached. Measures Approx. 10 inches or 26cm long.

Measures 4.5 x 23.5 inches (11 x 59 cm). This beautiful old Aboriginal message board was collected by a missionary at Hermansberg mission in the early 1950's, but is clearly much older. It shows the concentric circles and meandering incising typical of Aboriginal churinga. It has definitely been used ceremonially and has a superb patina. The condition is good.

This message board was collected in the 1950' s It is from Central Australia and is a stunning example. The design is dynamic and the shape and form of the board is very appealing to touch. It has remnants of red ochre and a patina Length 9 inches Width 1.5 inches

The tjurunga-type markings on this nice old item would certainly have tribal significance, but whether as a personal spiritual talisman, or in the context of inter-tribal communications, I don't know. In overall form it is assymetric end-to-end, but also in depth of profile - the blunter end being the thicker. In other words, it has somewhat of a dagger form in both planes. Both faces are deeply convex. Length: 28.5cm. .. 11.25. An interesting object...

This fine bullroarer was collected by Joseph Tepper in 1907 as wriitten on the reverse, it was part of a collection originally collected in Western Australia from Roebuck Bay. Very thin, glossy patina. measures 18 inches. Shipping to the US is $14 plus ins. No reserve!

Old Aboriginal wooden Message Stick with possum or kangaroo tooth incising on the front and back. Finished with red ochre. A hole has been drilled through the middle, probably for display purposes, but this does not take away from the beauty of the piece. Length 41cm/16.5in Width 7.5cm/3in.

This is an aboriginal Bullroarer and it was collected in th 60's. It is nicely carved and attached is human hair string. Don't be mistaken, this probably was made for sale in the early 60's and appears to have not been used ceremonially. It also has a crack at one end which I have tried to clearly photo. It measures 28cm in length. Offered at no reserve,

Kurdaitcha boots - RARE Aboriginal feather & hair boots. Collected in the 1950's at Mulga Park Station SA Very good condition - made from emu feathers and hair - This type of shoes were made to be worn by the Kurdaitcha man to sneak up on his ritual victims and not leave foot prints - Measures approximately 10 inches or 25cm long.

A very unpleasant little item if you are superstitious or an Aboriginal. A death pointer of pointing bone. Usually made from a kangaroo leg bone. Often decorated with resin and human hair which this one would have lost a long time ago. This one is the first I've seen with incised decoration. Fine lines scratched or cut along the surface of one side. A friend found it in his families garage where it has been for the last forty years. It has very old sil on it and a very old dry patina. It would have been found in the bush somewhere. My friend doesn't know where it came from or when it was collected but be the look and feel of it it was found well before WW2. 240 mm long.

The message board was collected in Western Australia in the 50s. It has an exceptional form with the typical serpent form running down the length. Although showing obvious signs of wear it is in very good condition Length 22 inches Width 3 inches

This is part of a collection recently purchased that consists of a number of early ethnographic items. The items were all collected in 1890 in Western Australia This is a very early wooden pointer used in sorcery. It has a remnant spinefex resin tip and burnt markings along the shaft. Note the underside is worn away from where it most likely laid on the length 8 inches or 20cm.

Interesting item - Queensland origin - OLD not sure exactly when this was made though 1950's or 60's most likely certainly not recent - Label describe the meaning see image below- Measures approximately 5 inches or 13cm long.

This is part of a collection recently purchased that consists of a number of early ethnographic items. The the items were all collected in 1890 in Western Australia This is a rare form of message stick. These are carried by messengers sent by one clan or tribe to another. The photo shows to similar finally marked examples from the Australian Museum Collection. Length 9inches

This is a superb example of Churinga that was collected at the turn of the century and is in as found condition. This would date most likely to the early 19th century (maybe earlier). It is quite large and measures 58cm in length. All together there are a total of 10 circular motifs and some pecking that probably depict animal tracks of some type. An excellant example of a very sought after item. It does have a small hole that was drilled in the 20's for hanging purposes which was not indigenously done (does not detract). It has superb patination and remnants of ochre infill.

Another good example of Churinga that was collected in the Papunya area in 1951 by a patrol officer at that time. It is large and measures 68cm in length. The piece posseses clear signs of use with some patination. It also is incised both sides. A fine example of a very sought after artefact.

Fine old ceremonially used Aboriginal Bulllroarer. A very nice old and used bullroarer with incised totemic deisgns to both sides, applied red ochre pigments and faint traces of pipeclay dotted designs - one of the best you will see - central Australian - early mid 20th c - this will no doubt end up on the duck list - 9.5 inches or 24cm - Offered with no reserve.

Nice old Bullroarer measuring 26cms from tip to tip and 4.5 cms across. The entire surface of one side is decorated while the other side has a smooth finish. The end of the bullroarer has a small but very old chip. The timber is a dark redish hardwood. I had bought this and some other aboriginal and pacific pieces from an overseas estate and include items that are ex- Wagner Museum. A good genuine aboriginal bullroarer with an interesting patterned surface and honest patina.

DESCRIPTION : This old Aboriginal message board , or truringa was originally acquired by a dentist who used to visit outback South Australia in 1920. This item came from outback Australia during the 1920's. CONDITION :This piece is in excellent condition with the only fault being a fleck at one end, which is in the photo's below. MEASUREMENTS : 12 3/4 inches x 2 5/8 inches at it's widest.

A rare form ABoriginal Churinga from the western desert region. Collected in the 60's , has smooth worn honey like patina with traces of ochres throught in fluting. Has minor wear throught Incised fluting Measures 13.5 inches long.

Old wooden message board or tjuringa. Carved with an interlocking key pattern simmilar to the La Grange Bay shields. Length 19 inches. Shipping to the US is $12US plus ins. Offered without reserve!

Old carved message board or tjuringa. Collected by a cattle station owner in North West Australia. Meas. 7.5 inches.

DESCRIPTION A truly magnificent Early Aboriginal sacred artefact. The item is covered in a splender of hand carved geometric full spiral circles, half circles, diamond shapes, triangular and track marks. One side has a total of 15 full spiral circles, 2 diamond shapes and 2 triangular. The other side has 8 full spiral circles that are each individually surrounded by half and semi circles.

HISTORY These type sacred and ceremonial items were hidden in caves by the tribal elders and only presented at important ceremonies. Another of its function is the sacred ancestral stories they may tell that are passed down through the decendents.

SIZE Length 39 inches Width 3 1/4 inches

CONDITION In good condition. There are 2 age cracks in the wood, one crack is 14 inches the second is 8 inches. Small sections of these cracks continue thru to the other side, but the artefact remains fully intact.Some of the carvings at the edge have simply thru age and continuous handling have started wear smooth.

Superb early Aboriginal bullroarer with traces of white pipeclay ceremonial X shaped decoration, applied red ochre and interesting tooling marks. These were twirled in the air durung ceremonies to warn away women and uninitiated boys. Dates to early-mid 1900's and is in good condition with aged surface. Human hair string cord attached. Measures 50cm (19.5) in length. Offered without reserve.

On offer here is One only Kurdiatchi man shoe ( feather shoe ). Made entirely of feathers with some string ( wool ) sewn in for strengh. Used primarily for paybacks by the elder Aboriginal men when they didnt want to leave any trace of them coming or going.

Old Central Australian desert Aboriginal bullroarer, collected in the 1940s. Made of native Mulga wood and an impressive 14 1/4 inches long. Hand cut incising to one side and in great original condition and colour. A small chip on one end as shown, doesn't detract from a top collection piece; offered with No Reserve.

This is an interesting Aboriginal wooden churinga or message board. It was collected in Western Australia in the 60s . These flat incised boards were either stone or wood and were used in Central Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia but their names and uses varied widely. They are best described a symbolic representations closely associated with the ancestors of the Dreamtime. Young initiates are infact told that it is an ancestor in visible form These objects bought life and strength to individuals and fertility from the mythological being whose spirit animated a particular area. This items were either personally owned or communal possessions. They were used in sacred ceremonies and were the element that made the ritual most effective and brought the participants into the midst of the other world which inspired and sustained the tribe. . This item shows both good age and is in good condition Length 22.5 inches Width 2 inches

This board was collected at the Warbourton Range Mission in the Great Victoria Desert in Western Australia in the late 50s. The powerful imagery of the squares is a traditional design. Contemporary art collectors we recognise and understand how these traditional artefacts form the foundation for much of the popular images used in contemporary Aboriginal paintings on canvas. . Length 10.5 inches Width 2.5 inches

An excellent example of a pair of Kurdaitcha feather shoes from Central Australia. Kurdaitcha shoes are rare ethnographic items rarely encountered, especially in this condition and quality. The term 'Kurdaitcha', or more correctly, 'gadaidja' in the Arunta language of Central Australia, can variously refer to the feather shoes, the men who wear them, or the revenge expedition in which the shoes are used.

Genuine early Central Australian Bull Roarer made out of native Acacia or Mulga wood. Profusely incised with concentric decorations and complimentary waves to both sides, this dates to the first quarter of the 1900's. It has the original Ochre finish and is in totally original order. Hair string is missing but it is in excellent order. One tiny edge chip doesn't detract in the very least. Measures just under 12 1/2 inches in length and represents a fabulous example.

Offered here is a Aboriginal Message Stick from the Yamagee Tribe from Derby , North Western Australia. Collected by Mel Ingglesden in 1963. It has deeply incised spiral and straight line grooves as depicted in the photo below (both sides are shown). Length 7.25 inches.This item is in excellent condition. Authentic [see previous sale 2004-01-03

Old churinga with circles incised into petrified (fossilized) wood, traces of ochre.Sourced from Far North Queensland by the late Edward Tull.Size: 120mm x 80mm.1.5lbs in weight.

Hardwood with a glossy patina - Collected in the 1950's in Northern South Australia -the designs represent the tingari ancestors - a good example - measures 14 1/2inches or 37 in length.

THIS IS A VERY EARLY PIECE FROM EITHER NORTHERN AUSTRALIA OR OCEANIC ISLAND REGION.IT IS MADE OF EITHER STONE OR PETRIFIED WOOD,HOLE HAS BEEN TAPPED FROM BOTH SIDES AND HAS BEEN TAPPED BY HAND USING NON EUROPEAN METHODS.

Aboriginal Message Board with concentric circle motifs. Collected at Papunya in the 1970's by an accountant. Meas. 25.5 x 3.75 inches.

Collected in the 1970's in Western Australia, this bullroarer is decorated with carvings, plus a length of human hair. Meas: 17.5 length x 2.5 inches [at widest point].

A very nice message stick with burnt in design collected in the later 1950's Pitjantjatjara origin - these were passed around to announce meetings and ceremonies - they also served as 'passports' through tribal lands - good glossy patina would indicate use Measures 16 inches 40cm high.

A lovely carved Bullroarer from Arhemland, dating to the mid 1960's. Has string attached and is in great condition. Well-carved and painted on both sides, including a fish design (see images below). Measures approximately 12 inches or 31cm in length.

These hair pin or Tjuringa were collected in 1950. They would easily predate this however. The largest measuring 53cm (21 inches) in length. These pieces were all collected together and in my opinion should stay together. They would add to any collection - wonderful. As usual I am offering these pieces without a reserve so bid with confidence. Please take a look at my other listings of Indigenous art.

This is an interesting Aboriginal wooden message board. . These flat incised sacred boards were either stone or wood and were used in Central Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia but their names and uses varied widely. They are best described a symbolic representations closely associated with the ancestors of the Dreamtime. Young initiates are infact told that it is an ancestor in visible form These objects bought life and strength to individuals and fertility from the mythological being whose spirit animated a particular area. These boards were either personally owned or communal possessions. They were used in sacred ceremonies and were the element that made the ritual most effective and brought the participants into the midst of the other world which inspired and sustained the tribe. When not in use the board was hidden in a cave or hut, but the spirit remained close to it giving it still vitality. The tribal board ensured perpetuation of plant and animal life needed for the support of people. The actual object is in excellent condition worked to a fine edge with a collection number on the back 466. Length 31 inches Width 2.5 inches.

A fine Western Australian 'churinga' or story board, purchased in August, 1983 from Mr. H. M. Lissauer, (I still have original receipt and will include a copy to the buyer). This piece measures 16 1/4 x 2 3/8 x 5/16 inches and has a rich, natural patina which greatly enhances its natural color and is very inviting to the touch. It is in perfect condition.

North Australia Aborigianl ceremonial item? Once again I am not quite saure but I have been told that this item is from the north of Australia and would of been used in ceremonies or initiation. The item has been well made and it does show good age. It would be pre - 1940s. Item is 56cms long and seems to depict an abstract snake or lizard. Very good interesting item for the collector.

Offered here is a ceremonial bull roarer from the Yamagee Tribe from Derby , North Western Australia. Collected by Mel Ingglesden in 1963. It has deeply incised spiral and straight line grooves as depicted in the photo below (both sides are shown). This bull roarer is made out of mulga . Length = 9 inches.This item is in excellent condition, but it does have a small chip at the bottom. Authentic..

Offered here is a Aboriginal Message Stick from the Yamagee Tribe from Derby , North Western Australia. Collected by Mel Ingglesden in 1963. It has deeply incised spiral and straight line grooves as depicted in the photo below (both sides are shown). Length 7.25 inches.This item is in excellent condition.Authentic