Central Australian Ceremonial Artefacts - ebay auction results 2010
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Churinga US$525.00 2010-10-25 280577810589 Queensland
Described as:

This old hardwood churinga originates from the Central Desert and was collected near Alice Springs in the 1950's. The design engraved is perfectly composed with the shpae of the board and is visually very appealing. The surface shows extensive handling and has good patina atop the ochre coating. It measures 66cm in length.

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Churinga Au$106.49 2010-10-06 110589295275 Freemantle
Described as:

The Tjuringa offered here was collected from the community of Warburton, Western Australia. In my early days of going through Warburton the shop was in the main community, today it is on the outskirts of town and travellers do not pass through the town On one trip (1992) I was shown a large collection of artifacts by the then managers of the shop a lovely elderly couple whom had been at the community for many many years, and had collected boxes and boxes of artifacts from the aboriginal people as they came in from the surrounding desert country. Such a great collection.

My reason for being in the area at the time, I was doing outback tour guiding through the desert country on route to Ayres rock and beyond, a job that I have done since 1990s.

A few years later I was asked (1995) if I would like to purchase the complete collection as now I had opened my gallery and the people knew that I would be interested.

I loaded 12 t-chest size boxes on my tray back Cruiser and trailer, comprizing of shields, boomerangs,spears,tjuringas, digging sticks, fighting sticks and alot of carved animals, coolamons and the likes. I retained most of the "great pieces" and sold of some of the more commen ones.

DISCRIPTION

Tjuringa is a term used for incised and/or painted stones or boards.These can vary greatly in size,shape and design and each peice has its very own meaning and story. Used for ceremony, protecting the carrier from harm, but most of all they generally carry designs relating to family skingroups, I have seen Tjuringa's carved in stone, smoothed out river rock, but most commenly as this example is, carved timber.

Not so large in size is this piece, but beautifully completed, with very unusal markings indeed as can be seen by the photo it has a zig-zagged raggy design, from one end to the other.

On a trip to Yeulamu to see an old friend, Cassidy Tjapaltjarri i took this peice with me to see if he could explain the pattern. He told me that it was representing string hair twine. It was commen for people to collect the cut hair from women and then twine it all together to make hair string, the string was then rubbed/submerged in ochre paint, this was then worn by men in ceremony.

One side is flat, with the other side being a raised curve shape.

The wood is very dark in colour, another interesting detail.

The Tjuringa shows GREAT patina and is very smooth due to alot of handling, especially the edges.

Trully a great peice, and one for the collection.

AGE

Age is unclear, but, I have had the peice since 1995 the shop keepers have had it for about 20 years and said that they got it from a old Dingo shooter (now that was around the 60/70s) prior to arriving at Warburton.

Who knows how long it had been around before the shooter obtained it. Going by its well used apperance, patina and the wonderfull history of it, I would believe it to be easily around 40 to 50 years of age, with the upmost integrity.

MEASUREMENTS:

length: 30 cm

Width: Flat side is 4.7 cm at it greatest width

Curved side is 5.2 at its great width...... hope this makes sense.

Height in stand: 35 cm. STAND IS INCLUDED IN SALE.

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Churinga Au$255.00 2010-09-29 110588087922 Freemantle
Described as:

A BRIEF HISTORY OF MY COLLECTION. The Tjuringa offered here was collected from the community of Warburton, Western Australia. In my early days of going through Warburton the shop was in the main community, today it is on the outskirts of town and travellers do not pass through the town On one trip (1992) I was shown a large collection of artifacts by the then managers of the shop a lovely elderly couple whom had been at the community for many many years, and had collected boxes and boxes of artifacts from the aboriginal people as they came in from the surrounding desert country. Such a great collection. My reason for being in the area at the time, I was doing outback tour guiding through the desert country on route to Ayres rock and beyond, a job that I have done since 1990s. A few years later I was asked (1995) if I would like to purchase the complete collection as now I had opened my gallery and the people knew that I would be interested. I loaded 12 t-chest size boxes on my tray back Cruiser and trailer, comprizing of shields, boomerangs,spears,tjuringas, digging sticks, fighting sticks and alot of carved animals, coolamons and the likes. I retained most of the "great pieces" and sold of some of the more commen ones. DISCRIPTION Tjuringa is a term used for incised and/or painted stones or boards.These can vary greatly in size,shape and design and each peice has its very own meaning and story. Used for ceremony, protecting the carrier from harm, but most of all they generally carry designs relating to family skingroups, I have seen Tjuringa's carved in stone, smoothed out river rock, but most commenly as this example is, carved timber. Not so large in size is this piece, but beautifully completed, with very good markings. It has horizontal lines with crossing lines, but Do not cross over each other, so well carved! What makes this peice so nice is that both sides are carved with both sides being simular in appearance. One side is flat, with the other side being a raised curve shape. The wood is very dark in colour, another interesting detail. The Tjuringa shows GREAT patina and is very smooth due to alot of handling, especially the edges. Trully a great peice, and one for the collection. AGE Age is unclear, but, I have had the peice since 1995 the shop keepers have had it for about 20 years and said that they got it from a old Dingo shooter (now that was around the 60/70s) prior to arriving at Warburton. Who knows how long it had been around before the shooter obtained it. Going by its well used apperance, patina and the wonderfull history of it, I would believe it to be easily around 40 to 50 years of age, with the upmost integrity. MEASUREMENTS: length: 27.5 cm Width: Flat side is 4.6 cm at it greatest width Curved side is 5.1 at its great width...... hope this makes sense. Height in stand: 36 cm. STAND IS INCLUDED IN SALE.

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Churinga Au$563.99 2010-09-19 60662093887 Queensland
Described as:

THIS SUPERB EARLY VERY LARGE TJURINGA ( CHURINGA) SACRED CEREMONIAL LAW BOARD IS FULLY DECORATED WITH FINELY STONE CUT RAT TOOTH ENGRAVING OF TRADITIONAL ABORIGINAL SECRET MENS PRE CONTACT RITUAL DESIGNS. FRONT HAS ANCIENT DREAMING TRACKS OVER FLUTED ENGRAVED CONCENTRIC SQUARES & DESERT PATTERNS . THE BACK IS COVERED IN DEEPLY ENGRAVED OLD TRADITIONAL ESTATE CLAN FLUTED PATTERNS, SAND HILLS & OTHER DESIGNS. VERY OLD IMPORTANT AND EXTREMELY RARE, LARGE TRADITIONAL RITUAL CEREMONIAL EXAMPLE OF GREAT BEAUTY & POWER. EXELLENT MUSEUM QUALITY ITEM ON CUSTOM DISPLAY MOUNT MATERIAL: DESSERT IRON WOOD (dense & heavy) EARTH PIGMENT OCHRES DIMENSIONS: 98 X 10 x 2 APROX (38.5 X 4 x 0.9 INCHES WEIGHT: 1.150 KG APROX (UNPACKED) CONDITION: EXCELLENT WITH FAINT OCHRE RETENTION DEAP RICH PATINA STABLE CRACKS AND DINGS COMMENSURATE WITH AGE AND TRIBAL USE PROVENANCE: OLD STATION COLLECTION DECEASED ESTATE MARKET BUY

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Churinga Au$255.00 2010-09-29 110588087922 Freemantle
Described as:

The Tjuringa offered here was collected from the community of Warburton, Western Australia. In my early days of going through Warburton the shop was in the main community, today it is on the outskirts of town and travellers do not pass through the town On one trip (1992) I was shown a large collection of artifacts by the then managers of the shop a lovely elderly couple whom had been at the community for many many years, and had collected boxes and boxes of artifacts from the aboriginal people as they came in from the surrounding desert country. Such a great collection.

My reason for being in the area at the time, I was doing outback tour guiding through the desert country on route to Ayres rock and beyond, a job that I have done since 1990s.

A few years later I was asked (1995) if I would like to purchase the complete collection as now I had opened my gallery and the people knew that I would be interested.

I loaded 12 t-chest size boxes on my tray back Cruiser and trailer, comprizing of shields, boomerangs,spears,tjuringas, digging sticks, fighting sticks and alot of carved animals, coolamons and the likes. I retained most of the "great pieces" and sold of some of the more commen ones.

DISCRIPTION

Tjuringa is a term used for incised and/or painted stones or boards.These can vary greatly in size,shape and design and each peice has its very own meaning and story. Used for ceremony, protecting the carrier from harm, but most of all they generally carry designs relating to family skingroups, I have seen Tjuringa's carved in stone, smoothed out river rock, but most commenly as this example is, carved timber.

Not so large in size is this piece, but beautifully completed, with very good markings. It has horizontal lines with crossing lines, but Do not cross over each other, so well carved!

What makes this peice so nice is that both sides are carved with both sides being simular in appearance.

One side is flat, with the other side being a raised curve shape.

The wood is very dark in colour, another interesting detail.

The Tjuringa shows GREAT patina and is very smooth due to alot of handling, especially the edges.

Trully a great peice, and one for the collection.

AGE

Age is unclear, but, I have had the peice since 1995 the shop keepers have had it for about 20 years and said that they got it from a old Dingo shooter (now that was around the 60/70s) prior to arriving at Warburton.

Who knows how long it had been around before the shooter obtained it. Going by its well used apperance, patina and the wonderfull history of it, I would believe it to be easily around 40 to 50 years of age, with the upmost integrity.

MEASUREMENTS:

length: 27.5 cm

Width: Flat side is 4.6 cm at it greatest width

Curved side is 5.1 at its great width...... hope this makes sense.

Height in stand: 36 cm. STAND IS INCLUDED IN SALE.

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Churinga Au$184.50 2010-09-04 110577845357 Freemantle
Described as:

A BRIEF HISTORY OF MY COLLECTION. The Tjuringa offered here was collected from the community of Warburton, Western Australia. In my early days of going through Warburton the shop was in the main community, today it is on the outskirts of town and travellers do not pass through the town On one trip (1992) I was shown a large collection of artifacts by the then managers of the shop a lovely elderly couple whom had been at the community for many many years, and had collected boxes and boxes of artifacts from the aboriginal people as they came in from the surrounding desert country. Such a great collection. My reason for being in the area at the time, I was doing outback tour guiding through the desert country on route to Ayres rock and beyond, a job that I have done since 1990s. A few years later I was asked (1995) if I would like to purchase the complete collection as now I had opened my gallery and the people knew that I would be interested. I loaded 12 t-chest size boxes on my tray back Cruiser and trailer, comprizing of shields, boomerangs,spears,tjuringas, digging sticks, fighting sticks and alot of carved animals, coolamons and the likes. I retained most of the "great pieces" and sold of some of the more commen ones. DISCRIPTION Tjuringa is a term used for incised and or painted stones or boards.These can vary greatly in size,shape and design and each piece has its very own meaning and story. Used for ceremony, protecting the carrier from harm, but most of all they generally carry designs relating to family skingroups, I have seen Tjuringa's carved in stone, smoothed out river rock, but most commenly as this example is, carved timber. Not so large in size is this piece, but beautifully completed, with very fine markings inbetween the main design upon the face of the item. The back of the item is smooth and well used with in its life,with good patina, it shows very smooth wood with no signs from modern tools used in it creation. It has a wounderfull small bore hole in the left side about middle range of the board, but was made many years ago and is of no threat to the quality of the item. And little bore insect left many years ago!! A very fine piece indeed, and well very worth the effort to add this to any collection that one may have. Once again age is unclear, I have had the piece since 1995 the shop keepers believed thay had it for about 8 to 10 years and also said that the people they got it from told them that it had been around for long time! Going by its well used apperance and its fine design work I would beleive it to be around 35 to 40 years of age with integrity. SIZE: length: 41.5 cm width: 5.5 cm

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Churinga Au$344.00 2010-08-03 250671489882 Tasmania
Described as:

On offer is an Aboriginal Churinga from Central Australia. It was collected in 1950 and has concentric circles carved on both sides and separated with lines going across. One side has 10 circles and the other side has 8. It is 57cm long X 7cm wide. There is a beautiful patinal sheen with traces of dark brown ochre. A really lovely piece to add to anyones collection.

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Churinga US$541.00 2010-07-25 280537230446 Queensland
Described as:

A superb early churinga from Western Australia. The board has a great form and the surface has a perfectly composed interlocking design. There are traces of red ochre and a nice patina to the ridges. One end has a hole suggesting it was used as a bullroarer but this may have been done post collection. It was found in a tea chest on a property in the 1950's and measures 37.5cm x 7cm at its widest.

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Churinga US$2,000.00 (buy it now) 2010-07-17 160449444863 Kerbokan - Kuta Utara, Bali, Indonesia
Described as:

Churinga from the Central Desert of Australia. The geometric patterns on these sacred objects (also called tjuringa, or tywerrenge) represent the tracks of totemic ancestors, as they sang up the world in the 'dreamtime'.

The ancestor materialising in visible form. They were used in sacred ceremonies enabling tribesmen to relate to their past, to know their ancestors. The ritual patterns are carved by flints and stone, they are a 'stone age' people, never bronze or iron was discovered in the Aborigine history. The wood used is Mulga, a dark, heavy, red, hard wood. Height: 42 cm / 16,54 inch. Mid 19TH Century

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Churinga Au$438.00 2010-07-17 270607512688 Western Australia
Described as:

I have up for auction a rare Central Australian Aboriginal Stone Churinga. Originally from the collection of The Reverend D L McCaskill West Australia. It is worn on the face and has traces of Ochre Carved on what appears to be a metallic slate. It has 5 horizontal lines carved into the back. I am unsure of it's age. It measures 23cm long x 12cm at it's widest point

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Churinga US$650.00 (buy it now) 2010-06-25 320521812872 Melbourne
Described as:

OLD STONE CARVED WEST AUSTRALIAN CHURINGA OR MESSAGE STICK, LEAF FORM WITH CONCENTRIC SQUARES ON THE FRONT PLAIN BACK WITH REMNANTS OF AN OLD PAPER LABEL, COLLECTED 1880'S, FROM AN EXTENSIVE WEST AUSTRALIAN ESTATE COLLECTION, LAGRANGE BAY PEOPLE, WEST AUSTRALIA, SIZE:13 1/2" [34.5CM] REMNANT OCHRE GOOD CONDITION, GENUINE OLD PIECE.

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Churinga US $?? 2010-06-25 250652730774 Sydney
Described as:

An excellent example of a beautiful ancient churinga. A piece of this quality rarely appears for auction. Deep patina suggests its serious age. One end of the churinga has small damage as shown, which was obviously made early in its life due to the consistent patina with thye rest of the churinga. Two notches at either end may be for ceremonial purposes and the sacred designs are abundant across the piece. 59.5 cm x 8cm at its widest x 1 cm

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Churinga GBP 850.00 (buy it now) 2010-06-25 320456396550 Australia
Described as:

Great old West Australian Aboriginal sacred churinga elegant leaf form with a twiste to the wood. With a tribal sacred designs carved with possum tooth tool both sides early 20th cent worn patina from lots of handing western desert people western australia 10.1/2"- (27cm) great condition, displays beautifully, glorious piece of hardwood.

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Churinga GBP 700.00 (buy it now) 2010-06-25 320457448315 Australia
Described as:

GREAT OLD INCISED WOOD/OCHRE SACRED CHURINGA, early 20th cent Western Desert People WEST AUSTRALIA 28"- (71cm) GOOD CONDITION, FANTASTIC PATINA FROM HANDLING, SMALL DRILLED HOLE AT ONE END displays beautifully.

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Churinga GBP 750.00 (buy it now) 2010-06-25 320444457808 Australia
Described as:

Great old West Australian Aboriginal hairpin/churinga elegant leaf form. with a lovely patina, With bands of wanda style grooved carving, early 20th cent western desert people western australia 24"- (61cm) great condition,a old little chip at one end displays beautifully, glorious piece of hardwood

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Churinga GBP 850.00 (buy it now) 2010-06-25 320444500314 Australia
Described as:

Great old West Australian Aboriginal churinga elegant leaf form. with a lovely patina, With a tribal sacred designs carved with possum tooth tool both sides early 20th cent western desert people western australia 15"- (38cm) great condition, displays beautifully, glorious piece of hardwood

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Bullroarer GBP 750.00 (buy it now) 2010-06-25 320444500758 Australia
Described as:

Great old West Australian Aboriginal Bullroarer elegant leaf form. with a lovely patina, With sacred designs carved with possum tooth tool carving on both side early 20th cent western desert people western australia 11"- (28cm) great condition, displays beautifully, glorious piece of hardwood.

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Bullroarer GBP 850.00 (buy it now) 2010-06-25 320447046160 Australia
Described as:

Great old Central Australian Rare tiny Aboriginal Bullroarer elegant leaf form with human hair string. a lovely patina and ochre, With sacred designs carved with possum tooth tool on both side early 20th cent central desert people australia 6.1/2"- (17cm) great condition, displays beautifully, very sacred object, not to be seen by women and uninitiated boys, very unusual to find such a diminuative example!

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Churinga GBP 850.00 (buy it now) 2010-06-25 320534632109 Australia
Described as:

WONDERFUL DOT PAINT DESIGNS ON A WOODEN SACRED DANCE BOARD OR CHURINGA, COLLECTED 1960'S IN CENTRAL AUSTRALIA, SIZE:18 1/2" [47CM] OVAL FORM WITH RED OCHRE AND PIPE CLAY DOTTED INTRICATE DESIGN ON BOTH SIDES, THE PIPE CLAY IS THICKLY APPLIED AND A BIT FRAGILE AND HAS SOME LOSS, BUT OVERALL THIS IS IN GOOD CONDITION WITH A VERY UNUSUAL DESIGN, BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE GENUINE OLD PIECE