Lot 180B
Oceania, Australia, Magwila Central Arnhem Land, early to mid 20th century CE. A beautiful, hand-painted eucalyptus bark painting using traditional Aboriginal techniques and featuring iconography that refers to a mortuary ceremony known as Djalambu. A sacred waterlily is at the center of the composition. Surrounding it are the file snake (kedjebe, or Acrochrodus arafurae), seahawk, goanna lizard, and a small freshwater fish - all beautifully decorated with intricate linear, curvilinear, dotted, and cross-hatched motifs in hues of red, white, gold, and black. This traditional style of Arnhem Land represents the oldest continuous tradition of painting (from rock art to bark) known in the world. Size: 24.5" W x 13.5" H (62.2 cm x 34.3 cm)
According to the description on the verso, "Djalambu is a guardian spirit that lives in a waterhole sacred to the Gupupugngu people. The flora and fauna in and around the waterhole, over many centuries have become totems."
Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 2000s
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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#171206
- Condition: Light surface wear with scuffs/nicks commensurate with age. A handwritten description of the painting's iconography and meaning is taped to the verso and has a tear at lower right corner that does not impact the text. "189 ZTW DJALAMBU" and "Magwila" are handwritten in red marker on the verso of the bark. There is a hanging wire on the verso making the painting ready to display.
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