Aboriginal art and artefact collecting goes back to early first contact times. In fact local Aboriginals around Sydney use to trade artefacts with visiting ships from the earliest days.

Curio collecting has always been part of early exploration of the new world. Ceremonial adornment items that were made of perishable material were not preserved for future use and so early examples are very collectable. Early shields, clubs and boomerangs that were cherished as favourites and had developed a deep colour and patina are preferred.

Historical items that were collected by early notable pioneers, explorers or anthropologists are of high interest to collectors. Some areas are collected because the artistic expression makes them more appealing when displayed.

Production of artefacts has never ceased and are still made today for sale.

Some examples of collectable Aboriginal artefacts are:

267 items found:

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A boomerang, 'Queensland Native Creation', Aboriginal painting…

Aboriginal Boomerang Painting: Queensland Native Creation

A boomerang, 'Queensland Native Creation', Aboriginal painting on wood.

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang, incised decoration…

Aboriginal Incised Boomerang

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang, incised decoration (as found)

An Aboriginal Mulga wood boomerang

Mulga Wood Boomerang: Aboriginal Design

An Aboriginal Mulga wood boomerang

A carved Aboriginal boab nut, Kimberley region, Northern…

Aboriginal Boab Nut Carving: Kangaroo, Boomerang, and Tree

A carved Aboriginal boab nut, Kimberley region, Northern Australia, depicting a kangaroo and joey, a boomerang and a boab tree

Four early Aboriginal souvenir boomerangs 42 cm - 56 cm

Early Aboriginal Souvenir Boomerangs Collection

Four early Aboriginal souvenir boomerangs 42 cm - 56 cm

Aboriginal boomerang, incised kangaroo decoration. Provenance:…

Incised Kangaroo Boomerang from Barnes Collection

Aboriginal boomerang, incised kangaroo decoration. Provenance: Barnes collection, 67 cm length

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang

Aboriginal Hardwood Boomerang from Australia

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang

Am Aboriginal hardwood boomerang

Aboriginal Boomerang: Hardwood Weapon and Tool

Am Aboriginal hardwood boomerang

Early Aboriginal hardwood killing boomerang

Aboriginal Hardwood Boomerang - Early Killing Tool

Early Aboriginal hardwood killing boomerang

Early Aboriginal hardwood killing boomerang

Aboriginal Hardwood Boomerang for Hunting

Early Aboriginal hardwood killing boomerang

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang with kangaroo carving

Aboriginal Boomerang with Kangaroo Carving

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang with kangaroo carving

Antique Aboriginal NSW hardwood boomerang, approx 68 cm long

Antique NSW Aboriginal Boomerang - 68cm

Antique Aboriginal NSW hardwood boomerang, approx 68 cm long

A hunting boomerang with incised Fluting to one side, Central…

Incised Fluted Hunting Boomerang from Central Australia

A hunting boomerang with incised Fluting to one side, Central Australia, length 66 cm

Australian Aboriginal hunting boomerang, c.1920, Western…

Aboriginal Hunting Boomerang, Western Australia, c.1920

Australian Aboriginal hunting boomerang, c.1920, Western Australia, with curved wider end, length 62 cm

A Boomerang, Central Australia (mid-late twentieth century),…

Carved Boomerang with Earth Pigments

A Boomerang, Central Australia (mid-late twentieth century), carved hardwood and natural earth pigments, 58 cm long

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang

Aboriginal hardwood boomerang from Australia

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang with Pokerwork design

Aboriginal Pokerwork Boomerang

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang with Pokerwork design

An Australian Aboriginal boomerang of slender proportion,…

52cm Aboriginal Boomerang

An Australian Aboriginal boomerang of slender proportion, length 52 cm

Two Aboriginal boomerang clubs, Central Australia (2) 84 cm, 78…

Aboriginal Boomerang Clubs from Central Australia

Two Aboriginal boomerang clubs, Central Australia (2) 84 cm, 78 cm

A Central Australian hunting boomerang, Australia, old patina

Ancient Hunting Boomerang from Central Australia

A Central Australian hunting boomerang, Australia, old patina

A mulga wood Transition boomerang, with incised design and…

Mulga Wood Boomerang with Incised Design and Protrusion

A mulga wood Transition boomerang, with incised design and central Protrusion, South Australia, length 60 cm

Vintage Aboriginal Hermannsburg painted boomerang signed…

Signed Hermannsburg Aboriginal Boomerang by Reechel Emelkna

Vintage Aboriginal Hermannsburg painted boomerang signed Reechel Emelkna

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang

Aboriginal hardwood boomerang

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang

Aboriginal hardwood boomerang from Australia

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang, pokerwork snake design

Snake Boomerang: Aboriginal Hardwood Pokerwork Design

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang, pokerwork snake design

Aboriginal hunting boomerang. Remnants of ochre staining,…

Aboriginal hunting boomerang. Remnants of ochre staining, length 76 cm

Australian Aboriginal boomerang, of curved form, incised with…

Aboriginal Boomerang with Geometric Decoration

Australian Aboriginal boomerang, of curved form, incised with panels of geometric decoration to one side, length 56 cm

Australian Aboriginal hunting boomerang, central Desert, with…

Aboriginal Hunting Boomerang with Fluting and Painted End

Australian Aboriginal hunting boomerang, central Desert, with fluting to one side, and painted end, length 73 cm. Provenance: Leonard Joel, 2005, then private collection, Queensland

Boomerang, New South Wales. Carved hardwood. Of thin bi-convex…

Boomerang from New South Wales

Boomerang, New South Wales. Carved hardwood. Of thin bi-convex section and surface with black dark patina. Approx length 66 x 5.5 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Queensland.

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang

Aboriginal hardwood boomerang

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang

Two Queensland boomerangs, one pokerwork depicting kangaroo in…

Queensland Boomerangs: Kangaroo and Mulga Wood Circa 1950

Two Queensland boomerangs, one pokerwork depicting kangaroo in mid speed and other of mulga wood. Cirac 1950. Length 65 cm and 85 cm.

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang, incised animal design…

Aboriginal Boomerang with Animal Symbols

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang, incised animal design with symbols

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang of large proportions,…

Aboriginal Hardwood Boomerang with Incised Decoration

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang of large proportions, incised decoration to one side

Australian aboriginal wooden boomerang, showing good patination…

Adzed Wooden Boomerang from NSW Aboriginals, Early 20th Century

Australian aboriginal wooden boomerang, showing good patination with adzed surface, NSW region early 20th century, 66 cm wide

Two Aboriginal old boomerangs widest, length 60 cm

Two Aboriginal old boomerangs widest, length 60 cm

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang with kangaroo…

Kangaroo Boomerang

Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang with kangaroo decoration

Two Aboriginal artefacts. Woomera and boomerang. Lengths 35 cm…

Aboriginal Artifacts: Woomera and Boomerang

Two Aboriginal artefacts. Woomera and boomerang. Lengths 35 cm and 25 cm

An old Australian Aboriginal boomerang, grooved carved detail,…

An old Australian Aboriginal boomerang, grooved carved detail, red ochre finish, length 68 cm

Old hardwood Aboriginal boomerang along with a spear head,…

Aboriginal Artifacts: Boomerang, Spearhead, Carved Panel

Old hardwood Aboriginal boomerang along with a spear head, carved Aboriginal head profile panel (3)

Antique aboriginal hardwood hunting boomerang, stone worked,…

Aboriginal Hardwood Hunting Boomerang with Stone Work, 68cm

Antique aboriginal hardwood hunting boomerang, stone worked, with parallel inscribed lines to one side, 68 cm wide

Australian Aboriginal hunting boomerang, c.1920, Western…

Aboriginal Hunting Boomerang, c.1920

Australian Aboriginal hunting boomerang, c.1920, Western Australia, in mulga wood, of typical form, with adze cuts to body, collection no.26 verso, length 59 cm. Provenance: J & a Staussehrd, then private collection, Queensland

Aboriginal boomerang and nulla nulla. Boomerang with red ochre…

Aboriginal Boomerang and Nulla Nulla Set

Aboriginal boomerang and nulla nulla. Boomerang with red ochre finish length 82 cm; and a nulla nulla with stone worked grooves, good patina length 65 cm.

Australian Aboriginal boomerang, Kimberley, with curved end,…

Australian Aboriginal boomerang, Kimberley, with curved end, with painted and incised decoration, in tones of black and brown, length 68 cm

Utmurra boomerang, Kimberley Region, Western Australia carved…

Utmurra Boomerang from Kimberley Region, Western Australia

Utmurra boomerang, Kimberley Region, Western Australia carved hardwood. Approx length 61.5 x 7 cm. Provenance: made by Utmurra 1979 Mary Macha, Perth, Western Australia. Private Collection, South Australia. Private Collection, Queensland.

A ceremonial boomerang, Central Australia (1930s), natural…

Central Australian Ceremonial Boomerang

A ceremonial boomerang, Central Australia (1930s), natural earth pigments on carved wood. 73 cm

Rare Vintage Aboriginal Hermannsburg painted boomerang by Edwin…

Vintage Aboriginal Painted Boomerang by Edwin Pareroultja

Rare Vintage Aboriginal Hermannsburg painted boomerang by Edwin (Pareroultja)

A left handed hunting boomerang. Fluted to one side and…

Left-handed hunting boomerang with ochre decoration

A left handed hunting boomerang. Fluted to one side and decorated with ochre. Docker river, Northern Territory. 83 cm 1940s Ex-Frank slip collection. Frank slip was a long-time friend of Geoffrey Bardon and traveled with him through Central Australia…

Australian Aboriginal hardwood 'Hook' boomerang with decorations

Aboriginal Decorated Hardwood Hook Boomerang

Australian Aboriginal hardwood 'Hook' boomerang with decorations

An Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang decorated with…

Aboriginal Boomerang with Kangaroo and Symbols

An Australian Aboriginal hardwood boomerang decorated with symbols and kangaroo

An Aboriginal boomerang, 19th century, South East Australian…

19th Century Aboriginal Boomerang from South East Australia

An Aboriginal boomerang, 19th century, South East Australian origin, in relic condition, 65 cm long

An old Australian aboriginal boomerang, later pierced…

Aboriginal Boomerang with Pierced Suspension Hole

An old Australian aboriginal boomerang, later pierced suspension hole, length 52 cm

Aboriginal pokerwork Coolamon. Together with two pokerwork…

Aboriginal pokerwork Coolamon. Together with two pokerwork early souvenir boomerangs from lake Tyers (1945), and Cairns, length 57 cm (longest)

Aboriginal small Clapstick boomerang. Top side worked with 'V'…

Aboriginal Clapstick Boomerang with 'V' Incisions (45cm)

Aboriginal small Clapstick boomerang. Top side worked with 'V' incisions. Length 45 cm

Boomerang, South East Australian. Carved hardwood. Approx…

South East Australian Boomerang, Carved Hardwood

Boomerang, South East Australian. Carved hardwood. Approx length 52 x 6 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, South Australia private Collection, Queensland.

Boomerang, South East Australian, carved hardwood (with custom…

South East Australian Boomerang with Custom Stand

Boomerang, South East Australian, carved hardwood (with custom stand) length 52 x 6 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, South Australia

Large boomerang, Mornington Island, Queensland, carved hardwood…

Mornington Island Boomerang with Stand

Large boomerang, Mornington Island, Queensland, carved hardwood (with custom stand) length 96.5 x 8.5 cm. Provenance: Adelaide Antique Auctions, Adelaide. Private collection, South Australia

Aboriginal landscape painting on boomerang signed, Pigments and…

Aboriginal Boomerang Landscape Painting by Kiwipary

Aboriginal landscape painting on boomerang signed, Pigments and or watercolour on boomerang. Signed Kiwipary lower right. Measures 59 cm. Circa 1950s or 1960s

An Aboriginal boomerang, light brown patina, rugged and…

Aboriginal Boomerang with Patina

An Aboriginal boomerang, light brown patina, rugged and irregular surface, subtle curve intensifying towards the left side, round ends, underside slightly flatter. Provenance: from the collection of Keith St Cartmail. Approx length 69 cm

Australian Aboriginal hunting boomerang, central Desert, curved…

Aboriginal Hunting Boomerang, Central Desert, 79 cm

Australian Aboriginal hunting boomerang, central Desert, curved towards one end, length 79 cm. Provenance: Leonard Joel, then private collection, Queensland

Boomerang, Central Australia, Northern Territory, carved…

Boomerang from Central Australia

Boomerang, Central Australia, Northern Territory, carved hardwood and natural pigments (with custom stand) the front decorated with finely fluted design, coated with red ochre. Length 64 x 5.5 cm. Provenance: Ruth Pearce, Murrayville. Private collection,…

Arnhem land ceremonial boomerang. Losses to hatched and dotted…

Arnhem Land Totemic Boomerang

Arnhem land ceremonial boomerang. Losses to hatched and dotted totemic decoration. 76 cm

Small return boomerang, South East Australian, carved hardwood…

SE Australian Small Boomerang with Dark Patina

Small return boomerang, South East Australian, carved hardwood (no custom stand) very steeply curved and of bi-convex section, old black dark patina. Length 25 x 4.5 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Queensland

Aboriginal boomerang, Central Australia C.1930's, 63 cm long

Aboriginal boomerang, Central Australia C.1930's, 63 cm long

Three aboriginal boomerangs, of mulga wood, the two largest…

Aboriginal Mulga Wood Boomerangs with Incised Surface

Three aboriginal boomerangs, of mulga wood, the two largest with incised surface to one face. Largest length 84 cm. Provenance: The estate collection of Michael Higgs, (Tribal Artefacts, Polynesian Arts & Crafts, Private & Museum Supplies Specialist)

A group of five Australian Aboriginal boomerangs, Variously…

Aboriginal Boomerangs with Kangaroo Motifs

A group of five Australian Aboriginal boomerangs, Variously embellished, some with simple fluting or gouge marks, others figurative with lightly engraved kangaroo motifs, length 67 cm and smaller

Two Australian Aboriginal items. Hooked hunting boomerang…

Aboriginal Hunting Boomerang and Head-Pad

Two Australian Aboriginal items. Hooked hunting boomerang (ribbed to one side); and twilled hair circular head-pad with grass stuffing. Length 65 cm, diameter 13 cm

Australian Aboriginal hunting boomerang, c.1920, Western…

Aboriginal Hunting Boomerang, Western Australia (1920)

Australian Aboriginal hunting boomerang, c.1920, Western Australia, of curved form, incised with patterns, length 60 cm. Provenance: J & a Saussehrd, then private collection

Australian Aboriginal hunting boomerang, Western Desert, in…

Australian Aboriginal hunting boomerang, Western Desert, in mulga, with adze cut marks to body, length 50 cm

Two Aboriginal boomerangs

Aboriginal Boomerangs: A Cultural Heritage

Two Aboriginal boomerangs

Australian Aboriginal Hooked fighting boomerang No.7, in mulga…

Aboriginal Hooked Boomerang in Mulga Wood

Australian Aboriginal Hooked fighting boomerang No.7, in mulga wood, with hooked end, of handsome proportions, length 76 cm. Provenance: Leonard Joel, then private collection, Queensland

Australian Aboriginal hunting boomerang, central Desert,…

Aboriginal Hunting Boomerang, Central Desert, Pre-1920

Australian Aboriginal hunting boomerang, central Desert, pre-1920 collected, of large curved form, one side fluted, evidence of natural pigment to one side, slight a/f, length 65.5 cm. Provenance: Jon Saussehrd, then private collection, Queensland

Boomerang, South East Australian, carved hardwood (with custom…

South East Australian Boomerang with Ribbed Surface

Boomerang, South East Australian, carved hardwood (with custom stand) of bi-convex section with ribbed surface and old shiny patina. Length 69.5 x 6.5 cm. Provenance: Roy Frost, Mbantua Store, Alice Springs, Northern Territory. Private collection, South…

Boomerang, Eastern Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, carved…

Arnhem Land Boomerang with Ochre Pigments

Boomerang, Eastern Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, carved hardwood and natural pigments (with custom stand) a boomerang made from a single piece of wood with a concave surface. The entire base is coloured with red ochre and the ends are decorated with…

Boomerangs: South Eastern Australian 19th century, 51 cm;…

Boomerangs: SE Aust. & Desert Child's

Boomerangs: South Eastern Australian 19th century, 51 cm; Central deserts child's transitional boomerang. 2 items

A hooked fighting boomerang. Mulga wood, fluted and decorated…

Decorated Hooked Fighting Boomerang by Jack Tjungurray

A hooked fighting boomerang. Mulga wood, fluted and decorated with ochre. Made by Jack Tjungurray, at Lajamanu 03/08/1983 Ex-Frank slip collection. Frank slip was a long-time friend of Geoffrey Bardon and traveled with him through Central Australia…

Early 20th century Aboriginal hunting boomerang. Dense hardwood…

Aboriginal hunting boomerang, early 20th century

Early 20th century Aboriginal hunting boomerang. Dense hardwood utilitarian piece with axe and rasp marks evident. Length 64 cm

Early boomerang, Northern New South Wales, carved hardwood…

Carved hardwood boomerang from Northern New South Wales

Early boomerang, Northern New South Wales, carved hardwood (with custom stand) length 62 x 7.5 cm. Provenance: Lawsons Auction, Sydney. Private collection, South Australia

Return boomerang, South East Australian, carved hardwood (no…

South East Australian Boomerang with Dark Patina

Return boomerang, South East Australian, carved hardwood (no custom stand) Steeply curved and of bi-convex section, old black dark patina. Length 40 x 5.5 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Queensland

A boomerang, finely carved with remains of ochre, Western…

Ochre-Adorned Boomerang from Western Australia

A boomerang, finely carved with remains of ochre, Western Australia origin 51 cm long

Australian Aboriginal hunting boomerang, of slightly curved…

Aboriginal Hunting Boomerang with Fluting

Australian Aboriginal hunting boomerang, of slightly curved form, with incised fluting to one side, in ochre tones, length 71 cm

19th century Australian Aboriginal boomerang, Western Australia,…

19th Century Aboriginal Boomerang from Western Australia

19th century Australian Aboriginal boomerang, Western Australia, in mulga wood, of curved form, adze cut to body, length 54 cm. Provenance: Ex-McAlpine collection no.26, then Oceanic, then private collection, Queensland

Early 20th century boomerang. With incised decoration, Barossa…

Antique Boomerangs with Incised Decoration and Throwing Boomerang

Early 20th century boomerang. With incised decoration, Barossa valley region, SA. Together with a throwing boomerang, WA. Provenance: ex Roberts collection SA, length 69 cm & 52 cm

Two Aboriginal boomerangs and a digging stick

Aboriginal Boomerangs and Digging Stick

Two Aboriginal boomerangs and a digging stick

Early hunting boomerang, Central Australia, Northern Territory.…

Fluted Hunting Boomerang from Central Australia

Early hunting boomerang, Central Australia, Northern Territory. Carved hardwood and natural pigments. Classic hunting boomerang, the front decorated with finely fluted design, finely adzed on the reverse, coated with red ochre, fine dark patina. Approx…

Early boomerang, South East Australian, carved hardwood and…

Southeast Australian Boomerang with Custom Stand

Early boomerang, South East Australian, carved hardwood and natural pigments (with custom stand) of thin bi-convex section with ribbed surface, bush repair with sinew, old shiny patina. Length 68 x 6.5 cm. Provenance: Adelaide Antique Auctions, Adelaide.…

Jack May boomerang, oak valley, port Lincoln, South Australia,…

Jack May's Boomerang from Port Lincoln

Jack May boomerang, oak valley, port Lincoln, South Australia, carved hardwood (with custom stand) length 62 x 7 cm. Provenance: made by Jack May port Lincoln Aboriginal Community. Private collection, South Australia

An early ceremonial hooked boomerang, Northern Territory (early…

Ceremonial Hooked Boomerang from Northern Territory

An early ceremonial hooked boomerang, Northern Territory (early 20th century), natural earth pigments on carved hardwood. 84 cm

Boomerang. Decorated with red ochre and faint lateral ochre…

Ochre-decorated Boomerang from Kimberley Region

Boomerang. Decorated with red ochre and faint lateral ochre markings to one side. Kimberley Region, Western Australia. Provenance: Paquim collection. Acquired by Joe Paquim, a former US submariner who returned to Western Australia after World War II and…

19th century Australian Aboriginal boomerang, lake Eyre, South…

19th Century Aboriginal Boomerang from Lake Eyre, Australia

19th century Australian Aboriginal boomerang, lake Eyre, South Australia, of curved form, length 79 cm

Early Adzed Western Desert boomerang, Western Australia. Carved…

Adzed Western Desert Boomerang from Australia

Early Adzed Western Desert boomerang, Western Australia. Carved hardwood. Of plano-convex section, the surfaces with finely adzed markings. Approx length 51 x 6 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, South Australia.

Utmurra boomerang, Kimberley Region, Western Australia, carved…

Utmurra Boomerang, Carved Hardwood with Custom Stand

Utmurra boomerang, Kimberley Region, Western Australia, carved hardwood (with custom stand) length 61.5 x 7 cm. Provenance: made by Utmurra 1979 Mary Macha, Perth, Western Australia. Private collection, South Australia

Early adzed Western Desert boomerang, Western Australia, carved…

Adzed Western Desert Boomerang with Stand

Early adzed Western Desert boomerang, Western Australia, carved hardwood (with custom stand) of plano-convex section, the surfaces with finely adzed markings and fine old glossy patina. Length 56 x 5.5 cm. Provenance: Adelaide Antique Auctions, Adelaide.…

Adzed Western Desert boomerang, Western Australia. Carved and…

Adzed Boomerang from Western Australia

Adzed Western Desert boomerang, Western Australia. Carved and adzed hardwood. Of plano-convex section, the surfaces with finely adzed markings, length 56.5 x 6.5 cm. Provenance: Ex Stan Moriarty collection A151, Sydney. Private collection, Sydney

Early Adzed boomerang, Western Australia. Carved and adzed…

Adzed Boomerang from Western Australia

Early Adzed boomerang, Western Australia. Carved and adzed hardwood. Of plano-convex section with one straight arm and one with a slight concave twist, the finely adzed surface, old shinny patina, length 49 x 5.5 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

Painted boomerang, Eastern Arnhem Land, Northern Territory,…

Arnhem Land Boomerang with Traditional Designs

Painted boomerang, Eastern Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, carved hardwood and natural pigments (with custom stand) of bi-convex section, has been decorated with painted designs of cross hatching and traditional motifs in ochres. Length 58 x 7 cm.…

Fine early adzed Western Desert boomerang, Western Australia,…

Adzed Western Desert Boomerang with Stand

Fine early adzed Western Desert boomerang, Western Australia, carved hardwood (with custom stand) of plano-convex section, the surfaces with finely adzed markings and fine old glossy patina. Length 52.5 x 5 cm. Provenance: Collected 1943 Robert Thompson,…