Australian Aboriginal Weapons & Traditional Objects
The boomerang is the best known implement of Australian Aborigines. A boomerang is a wooden tool used for various purposes. Boomerangs can be used as hunting weapons, (ie. killer boomerangs which could bring down a large kangaroo or even your enemy) percussion musical instruments, battle clubs, fire-starters, decoys for hunting waterfowl, (that was one thing a 'returning boomerang' was used for) and as recreational toys. A boomerang looks simple; but it is quite a skill to make them properly. The smallest boomerang may be less than 10 cm from tip-to-tip, and the largest over 2 meters in length. As Aborigines love art, tribal boomerangs are often incised and/or painted with designs appropiate to its maker & also intended to give the hunter power over it's prey. While we usually stock a couple of cheaper boomerangs suitable for children to have fun with at AboriginalArtTreasures we bring you 'fairdinkum' boomerangs; not some flimsy thing produced just for the tourist trade. Some are made by artists I personally know. Some are historical objects made by tribal aborigines in times past. Boomerangs are not the only hunting weapon Aborigines used, spears were used in hunting & warfare. Bullroarer were sacred objects; in times past only used by initiated men; & in some cases only to be heard by them. Some tribes believed the noise they made was the voice of 'the son of the creator' (also called "The Word" in the Bible.) They have been used for communication purposes as their noise could be heard over great distances. (To use a bullroarer, tie some string thorugh the hole & swirl around & around.) All traditional implements can be found on this page. More info. Our prices include postage
Tribal Spears - Click to Enlargen
sword
sword close up
spear
spear close up
These are not toys; they are proper tribal spears that have come from an aquaintance who worked in Aboriginal Affairs for many years. They were made & used by tribal Aborigines in Northern Austalia some years ago.
Dagger with teeth This is a fascinating object. From tip to end it is 21in (53cm) long. Made of wood it has an interesting handle which appears to be made of pleated reeds & attractive in it's own right. Along the sides are 30 (originally there would have been 32) extremely & I mean extremely sharp teeth (shark?) A formable weapon, it is also an object of art & a pleasure to display & own. A wise investment for the collector as few such objects come onto the market. Only $99.00
Three Pronged Spear Tip - This now measures 50cm (19.5in) in length. Originally very long, some collector did the fashionable thing at the time & cut just the end ot this spear. I encourage you to enlargen the photos & see the detail for yourself. It is truly a lovely object & a real work of art. The workmanship of this object is amazing & really too complicated to describe. The photos enlargens nicely; see for yourself. The spear ends in 3 sharpened prongs & was intended for use; but who would want to destroy this work of art? Again worth collecting for investment purposes. Well packed. $92.00
Boomerangs - Click to Enlargen
This 36cm long boomerang is hand decorated with traditional symbols. The central figure is a turtle (perhaps the artists totem) & the other symbols are of sitting people at a campsite & more. It feels nice to hold & should return if thrown correctly. It is signed by the artist. The engraving has lots of dot work. A cheap traditional handcrafted Boomerang at $29.99
Bullroarers - Click to Enlargen
Bullroarers like most of our traditional object are great works of art. This one has especially elaborate dotwork. Fulled handmade & painted is by well known artist, Col Cook it is signed at the back. A lovely match for Dot boomerang above & a bargain at only $41.99
Clapping Sticks - Click to Enlargen
Clapping Sticks are a traditional musical instrument used by all tribes. Again they are works of art. We supply both 'collectors items' with historical interest, & other authentic works of art by genuine indigenous Australian craftsman.
These Clappers are the 'dinky-di' (genuine for non-Australians!) thing. They were made an elder of the Kuku-ulungi people of Cape Tribulation in far north Queensland. These Clapping Sticks were hand crafted from Iron Bark wood about 40 years ago, The Burning Art has been done with hot wire from a fire. They have been crafted with great skill and the colouring of the timber has been maximised by leaving on the top half a thin layer of sap wood. The sound they make is great as is the art work. They represent a Salt water crococile and a Goanna. Truly an investment in historical & fine art. The pair for only $79.95
kangaroo boomerang
lizard boomerang lizard
These returning boomerangs (with instructions on back) are made in Australia. They have traditional Aboriginal designs painted on them. (See details) They can be displayed for their art; or used for what boomerangs are designed for - throwing! A good gift for a child or a different cheap present. Buy Kangaroo design at top & lizard at bottom. Both only $5.99 each. 1 x each available.
kangaroo pair
close up
kurreah boomerang
close up
goola boomerang
close up
3 x Genuine Wiradjuri Tribe Boomerangs, crafted, burnt & painted, on location in tribal country by the artist with their Dreaming Stories
This 61cm (a traditional length for hunting) boomerang has 2 elaborately decorated kangaroos (goola) along with their engraved footprints. Authentic art from far western New South Wales. $43.99
As the Wiradjuri people live along the Murray River it is not surprising this 50cm boomerang is engraved & painted with a crocadile (kurreah) & water symbols. Enlarge to see find details of this piece of art. $35.95
This 50cm long boomerang has a very fancy goola (kangaroo) along with its food source engraved & painted with fine dot work. This exceptional pretty boomerang is only $35.95
2 x Modern Returning Boomerangs
These incised clapping sticks were collected in the 1970's from the tribal area of Northern South Australia. They are made from unusually light coloured timber & have a really nice sound when used as a musical instrument. Around 19cm in length they would complete any collection of artifacts or make great music with them Only $9.99
These clapping sticks, the longest measures 30cm, have quite fancy, but very typical traditional incistions. They are two different lengths & have matching, though different engravings burnt into them. They are much thicker & heavier (which makes them very pleasant to hold) than most clapping sticks I have come across. Because of this they have quite a deep tone. (Quite a contast to the pair above which are pitched pleasantly high. Buy both & start your own band!) A authentic vintage pair from the central Australia area to display or play. $29.99
This digging/clapping stick is also a traditional instrument. Digging sticks were used by the women to collect food; then doubled up as a musical instrument after dark. Two can be hit together (why they are often sold in pairs) but it was also traditional to clap them against a boomerang or even pottery. 27cm long it is from the same area as the pair above. But notice how much thinner it is? It is in excellent condition with both end almost to fine point & even. It is quite common to come across stick where one point has been partly worn away. A real bargain at only $5.99 & a nice office display or talking object.
Enlargen this truly amazing piece. What is it? I believe it to be a dugong or sea cow, carefully carved & engraved so that it also resembles a shell. I presume that it represents an important ancestral spirit in the area of northern Australia it comes from. Obviously it has been made by a very talented artist but unfortunately like many, many carvings it hasn't been signed. In fact some of the most famous Aboriginal painters also made many wooden articles which were never initialled or otherwise identified because at the time no-one realised the importance of that. About 13cm long in excellent condition. $12.99
Traditional Carvings - Click to Enlargen
Being very attractive, Aboriginal Carvings are an original gift idea. They can also be a piece of investment art.
dot boomerang
dot boomerang close up
water boomerang
water boomerang close up
2 x Elaborate Painted Dot work Boomerangs by world-reknowned artist
These beautiful boomerangs are made & painted by Col Cook. Col is native to Dubbo in western N.S.W., but now resides in Queensland. Col loves to paint totally traditionally, even spraying the background paint on by mouth. These works of art would look lovely on a wall or on display on a desk, coffee table or book shelf. Running water boomerang is 50cm long, while the dot boomerange is 54cm long (see bullroarer below.) Both $37.99
