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Estimate
GBP (£) 2,000 - 3,000
EUR (€) 2,390 - 3,580
USD ($) 2,610 - 3,920
MID 20TH CENTURY AD
38 1/4" (4.96 kg, 97cm).
An irregular rectangular panel of eucalyptus wood painted to the surface with a series of animals and geometric motifs in ochre, brown, black and white natural pigments; accompanied by a typed note: 'The author represents his "dream" as interpreted. In the upper left, a rock snake watches the dilong gulara (probably an insect; the aboriginal says "no good", sticking his tongue out. To left is a hollow tree. The circle in the centre of the painting is a billabong and three arms emerging there from are streams - creeks. Billabong and creeks represent the torso and arms. To the left, is a freshwater Mandjiba, a snake. The rainbow snake with eggs represents the feminine element next to an alligator (not a crocodile, proper alligator), representing the masculine. Bottom left is a barramundi fish and young fowl. Lines and shading represent the water. Painted by Jackie Barrialanga from Cape York in 1969, 47 year old from the Burarra tribe. Painted with natural colours on eucalyptus bark, 97 x 70cm, Eucalyptus Bark 004.' Mounted on a wooden lattice frame with hanging hook to the back.
PROVENANCE:
Property of a European collector; formerly from the collection of Prof. RNDr. Jan Jelínek, DrSc., anthropologist, and Director of the Moravian museum, and the president of the International Committee of Museums (ICOM) for eight years; thence by descent 2004; collected by Professor Jelínek during the Moravian Museum expedition collaboration with Department of Aboriginal studies in Canberra, to Arhnem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia, painted by Jackie Barrialanga from Cape York in 1969. Accompanied by copies of expedition photographs, map and Dr Jelinek's biography.
PUBLISHED:
This lot is published on the back cover of the printed catalogue.
LITERATURE:
See Jelinek, J. The Great Art of the Early Australians: The Study of the Evolution and Role of Rock Art in the Society of Australian Hunters and Gatherers, Brno, 1989.