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:

68 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Martin Boyd set of six pottery coffee cups and saucers with…

Martin Boyd set of six pottery coffee cups and saucers with hand-painted Aboriginal motifs, (12 items), incised "Martin Boyd, Australia", the saucers13.5 cm diameter

Darbyshire prototype ceramic statue of a standing Aboriginal…

Darbyshire prototype ceramic statue of a standing Aboriginal woman holding a child, with high gloss olive green/brown glaze, rare, 24.5 cm high

Darbyshire ceramic statue of a crouching Aboriginal man holding…

Darbyshire ceramic statue of a crouching Aboriginal man holding a kookaburra, rare, impressed factory mark to base, 16 cm high

Carl Cooper two pottery dishes with Aboriginal motifs, incised…

Carl Cooper two pottery dishes with Aboriginal motifs, incised "Carl Cooper", 10 cm and 9 cm diameter

Pair George Barsony Aboriginal elder bookends. Impressed…

Pair George Barsony Aboriginal elder bookends. Impressed 'George' to base, height 16 cm

Two rare George Barsony Aboriginal warrior figures. One with…

Two rare George Barsony Aboriginal warrior figures. One with boomerang standing in water, the other seated with hand club. Club and hand restored, height 25 cm (tallest)

12 various Australian Aboriginal themed Pottery. Includes…

12 various Australian Aboriginal themed Pottery. Includes Australian Alfa Art, Essexware, Red-Stone.

Bitossi native kneeling girl figurine

Native Kneeling Girl: Bitossi Figurine

Bitossi native kneeling girl figurine

Martin Boyd pair of pottery plates decorated with aboriginal…

Martin Boyd Aboriginal Warrior Pottery Plates

Martin Boyd pair of pottery plates decorated with aboriginal warriors, both incised 'Martin Boyd, Australia', 26 cm diameter

Native American three colour pot, Acoma Pueblo, new Mexico, USA,…

Acoma Pueblo Three Colour Pot

Native American three colour pot, Acoma Pueblo, new Mexico, USA, c. 1930, hand coiled earthenware, ovoid vessel with thin walls, decorated with stylised motifs of feather, rain, peace, day and night design, restored, height 16 cm. Design applied with…

Australian pottery statue of an Aboriginal seated figure on…

Aboriginal Statue on Map Base & Slouch Hat Ornament

Australian pottery statue of an Aboriginal seated figure on Australian map base, together with a slouch hat ornament, (2 items) the map base 13 cm high. Provenance: The John Stephens Collection

Merric Boyd pottery jug with hand-painted rural scene and two…

Merric Boyd's Koala Jug: A Unique Australian Artwork

Merric Boyd pottery jug with hand-painted rural scene and two applied koalas perched on the branch handle, incised 'Merric Boyd, 1941', 14 cm high, 15 cm wide. Merric Boyd described his great joy in successfully throwing his first pot at Archibald…

Wembley Ware Australiana character jug, stamped 'Australian…

Wembley Ware Australiana Olympic Character Jug

Wembley Ware Australiana character jug, stamped 'Australian Native, Wembley Ware, Olympics 1956', 10 cm high, 17 cm wide

A collection of Wedgwood Australian native fauna coloured…

Wedgwood Fauna Jasper Ware Dishes - Australian Collection

A collection of Wedgwood Australian native fauna coloured jasper ware dishes, 11 cm diameter

A collection of Wedgwood Australian native flora coloured…

Wedgwood's Australian Native Flora Jasper Ware Dishes

A collection of Wedgwood Australian native flora coloured jasper ware dishes, each decorated with Australian native flowers, 11.5 cm diameter (each)

Remued, (attributed) pottery wall pocket and a pottery mug with…

Aboriginal Pottery Set

Remued, (attributed) pottery wall pocket and a pottery mug with Aboriginal decoration, (2 items), the pocket vase15 cm high

Martin Boyd, pair of pottery plaques with Aboriginal figures,…

Aboriginal Pottery Plaques by Martin Boyd

Martin Boyd, pair of pottery plaques with Aboriginal figures, incised 'Martin Boyd, Australia', 26 cm diameter

Anneke Borren circular lidded pot, original New Zealand native…

Anneke Borren Circular Lidded Pot with Native Timber Lid

Anneke Borren circular lidded pot, original New Zealand native timber turned lid with incised mark and paper label to base, 18 cm height overall

Studio Anna pair of pottery bookends with Aboriginal faces, 15…

Aboriginal Pottery Bookends by Studio Anna

Studio Anna pair of pottery bookends with Aboriginal faces, 15 cm high

Martin Boyd set of five pottery ramekins with Aboriginal motifs,…

Aboriginal-inspired pottery ramekins by Martin Boyd

Martin Boyd set of five pottery ramekins with Aboriginal motifs, incised 'Martin Boyd, 5 cm high, 16.5 cm wide

A pair of Melrose pottery bookends, circa 1935, each surmounted…

Aboriginal Woman Bookends by Melrose Pottery, 1935

A pair of Melrose pottery bookends, circa 1935, each surmounted with a bust of an Aboriginal woman, olive matte satin glaze and factory stamp to the base, 'Melrose Pottery, 1932-1940'14.5 cm high, 10 cm wide, 7.5 cm deep

Three Royal Worcester circular Australian flower lidded boxes,…

Royal Worcester Australian Flower Lidded Boxes with Christmas Bells

Three Royal Worcester circular Australian flower lidded boxes, gilt edging, cream ground, each painted with Christmas bells, two with native heath, printed puce factory marks, 'Flavelle Brothers Ltd' to base.

Studio Anna, Two pottery plaques with Aboriginal motifs,…

Aboriginal Pottery Plaques by Studio Anna

Studio Anna, Two pottery plaques with Aboriginal motifs, factory mark and label verso, 31 cm diameter and 32 cm across

Takacs Studio 'The Didgeridoo' ceramic figure of an Aborigine,…

Aboriginal Ceramic Figure by Takacs Studio

Takacs Studio 'The Didgeridoo' ceramic figure of an Aborigine, circa 1950s, signed 'Takacs Studio, No.15, Australia, 39 cm high, 42 cm wide

A Crown Lynn 'Native Flora and Fauna' teapot stand, relief…

Crown Lynn Native Flora and Fauna Teapot Stand

A Crown Lynn 'Native Flora and Fauna' teapot stand, relief gilded decoration on brown ground, the reverse with moulded details. 14 cm x 14 cm.

Doulton Lambeth tea service saltglaze stoneware. Three piece,…

Doulton Lambeth Saltglaze Tea Service with Australian Fauna Frieze

Doulton Lambeth tea service saltglaze stoneware. Three piece, comprising tea pot, cream jug & sugar. Each decorated with incised frieze of Australian fauna. Kangaroos & emus in Native Foliage. By Hannah B Barlow, incised monogram H.B.B. Plus Assistants…

Martin Boyd square ceramic tile decorated with an aboriginal…

Aboriginal Figure Ceramic Tile by Martin Boyd

Martin Boyd square ceramic tile decorated with an aboriginal figure and signature lower right, 15 cm x 15 cm

Melrose Ware Rare pair of Aboriginal bust bookends in cream…

Aboriginal Bust Bookends by Melrose Ware

Melrose Ware Rare pair of Aboriginal bust bookends in cream glazed pottery, stamped 'Melrose Ware, Australia, 13.5 cm high

Scott McFarlane four ceramic tiles: Native Woman Portrait #288,…

Ceramic Tile Collection by Scott McFarlane

Scott McFarlane four ceramic tiles: Native Woman Portrait #288, Untitled #192, #195 & #505, all with painted initials to reverse, of sizes

A cup and saucer in the style of Worcester Kerr & Binns, circa…

Worcester Kerr & Binns Butterfly Cup and Saucer

A cup and saucer in the style of Worcester Kerr & Binns, circa 1850-60, pattern 5575, delicately decorated on translucent porcelain with butterfly, moth and lady birds on native grasses within gilt dentil borders, painted marks only underside, ceramic…

Pippin Drysdale (Australian, b. 1943), Treescape, Breakaway…

Treescape by Pippin Drysdale

Pippin Drysdale (Australian, b. 1943), Treescape, Breakaway Series, 1994, porcelain with white tin glaze, under fritted colour, and lustres painted in abstract design, artist's signature incised into glaze to base 'Pippin Drysdale Treescape '94', height…

Martin Boyd (Australian, 1923-1988), Tile Panel, comprised of…

Aboriginal Tile Panel by Martin Boyd

Martin Boyd (Australian, 1923-1988), Tile Panel, comprised of six glazed ceramic tiles, featuring Aboriginal motif of emus and kangaroos, signed to lower right tile 'Martin Boyd, 30.5 x 46 cm

Three Vande Australian pottery dishes, Aboriginal motif, hand…

Hand-painted Aboriginal motif pottery dishes by Vande

Three Vande Australian pottery dishes, Aboriginal motif, hand painted, signed to base

Three small Brownie Downing Wal plates, depicting Aboriginal…

Brownie Downing Aboriginal Children Plates

Three small Brownie Downing Wal plates, depicting Aboriginal children

Martin Boyd Aboriginal Cendrier hand painted as a man holding a…

Aboriginal Hand-Painted Cendrier with Spear-Wielding Man

Martin Boyd Aboriginal Cendrier hand painted as a man holding a spear, concentric swirls forming the background. Signed to base, diameter 23 cm

Boyd, Merric (1888-1959). Pottery koala jug. Two toned green…

Merric Boyd's Koala Jug

Boyd, Merric (1888-1959). Pottery koala jug. Two toned green glaze. Applied koala handle. Inscribed to base 'Merric Boyd, 1935 Native bear Australia (koala).'. Height 13.5 cm

Martin Boyd Five dishes with Aboriginal motifs, incised Martin…

Aboriginal Motif Incised Dishes by Martin Boyd

Martin Boyd Five dishes with Aboriginal motifs, incised Martin Boyd Australia, 11 cm diameter

Martin Boyd Four dishes with Aboriginal themes, incised Martin…

Aboriginal-themed Martin Boyd dishes, 13.5 cm diameter

Martin Boyd Four dishes with Aboriginal themes, incised Martin Boyd Australia, 13.5 cm diameter

Martin Boyd Three pottery plates with Aboriginal designs and…

Aboriginal and Creole Pottery Plates by Martin Boyd

Martin Boyd Three pottery plates with Aboriginal designs and Creole woman portrait, incised Martin Boyd Australia, 18.5 cm diameter

Martin Boyd Four pottery plates with Aboriginal portraits,…

Aboriginal Portrait Plates by Martin Boyd Australia

Martin Boyd Four pottery plates with Aboriginal portraits, incised Martin Boyd Australia, 18.5 cm diameter

Martin Boyd Four pottery plates with Aboriginal portraits,…

Aboriginal Portrait Plates by Martin Boyd

Martin Boyd Four pottery plates with Aboriginal portraits, incised Martin Boyd Australia, 26 cm diameter

Martin Boyd Four pottery plates with Aboriginal portraits and…

Aboriginal Portraits on Martin Boyd Pottery Plates

Martin Boyd Four pottery plates with Aboriginal portraits and designs, incised Martin Boyd Australia (1951), largest 30 cm diameter

Martin Boyd Two pottery chargers with Aboriginal motifs,…

Aboriginal Pottery Chargers by Martin Boyd

Martin Boyd Two pottery chargers with Aboriginal motifs, incised Martin Boyd Australia, 36 cm diameter and 38.5 cm diameter

Martin Boyd (1923-1988), Lamp Base, earthenware with green slip…

Aboriginal-inspired Lamp Base by Martin Boyd

Martin Boyd (1923-1988), Lamp Base, earthenware with green slip glaze, decorated with Aboriginal motifs and goannas, signed to base 'Martin Boyd, height 21 cm. Provenance: Marvin Hurnall Antiques

Martin Boyd (1923-1988), Covered Ginger Jar, glazed earthenware…

Aboriginal Elder Ginger Jar by Martin Boyd

Martin Boyd (1923-1988), Covered Ginger Jar, glazed earthenware decorated with an Aboriginal elder in profile, signed to base 'Martin Boyd Australia, height 21 cm. Provenance: Marvin Hurnall Antiques

Martin Boyd Two pottery plates with Aboriginal scenes, 26 cm…

Aboriginal Scene Pottery Plates

Martin Boyd Two pottery plates with Aboriginal scenes, 26 cm diameter

Martin Boyd Pair of pottery plates with Aboriginal portraits,…

Aboriginal Portrait Pottery Plates

Martin Boyd Pair of pottery plates with Aboriginal portraits, 26 cm diameter

Three various Studio Anna porcelain vases. Including aboriginal…

Studio Anna Aboriginal Motif Porcelain Vases Set

Three various Studio Anna porcelain vases. Including aboriginal figure decoration (with original label); & two similar with aboriginal motifs. Height 12 cm (each)

A Royal Doulton 'The Chief' figure. Introduced 1978, pattern…

Royal Doulton Native American Chief Figure

A Royal Doulton 'The Chief' figure. Introduced 1978, pattern HN2892, the seated figure of an American native chief holding a ceremonial weapon; green backstamp of the modern era underside. Height 18 cm.

Vande Studio Pottery ashtray, with aboriginal decoration,…

Aboriginal-themed Signed Studio Pottery Ashtray (19cm)

Vande Studio Pottery ashtray, with aboriginal decoration, signed, 19 cm wide approx.

Eleven Wedgwood'jasperware'dishes, in various colours with…

Australian Flora Jasperware Dishes Set

Eleven Wedgwood'jasperware'dishes, in various colours with Australian native flower decorations

A Royal Worcester teapot, Flavelle Brothers Ltd, raised…

Royal Worcester Teapot with Aborigine Decoration

A Royal Worcester teapot, Flavelle Brothers Ltd, raised decoration depicting an aborigine making a small fire, signed C. Johnson, minor paint chips and crack to base, 11.5 cm high

Guy Boyd porcelain lidded canister. Aboriginal motif. Height 16…

Aboriginal-inspired Porcelain Canister by Guy Boyd

Guy Boyd porcelain lidded canister. Aboriginal motif. Height 16 cm

A set of six Royal Doulton 'Fragile Paradise' plates, in a…

Limited Edition Royal Doulton Parrot Plates

A set of six Royal Doulton 'Fragile Paradise' plates, in a limited edition of 12,500, the individually numbered plates each featuring a species of parrot against a backdrop of native species, especially wild orchids; backstamps and details of each parrot…

Two Alexander Takacs Studio Pottery wall plaques of Aboriginal…

Aboriginal Head Wall Plaques by Alexander Takacs

Two Alexander Takacs Studio Pottery wall plaques of Aboriginal heads. Signed Alexander Australia no. 136. Alexander Takacs was born in Hungary and came to Australia in 1948.His Studio was in Bowral, New South Wales.

A group of four Carl Cooper Aboriginal themed dishes

Carl Cooper's Aboriginal Dish Collection

A group of four Carl Cooper Aboriginal themed dishes

A group of four Carl Cooper Aboriginal Themed dishes, faults to…

Flawed Carl Cooper Aboriginal Dish Set

A group of four Carl Cooper Aboriginal Themed dishes, faults to all

An Aboriginal carved wood mimi spirit by Frank Ashby 1986

Frank Ashby's Mimi Spirit Carving

An Aboriginal carved wood mimi spirit by Frank Ashby 1986

A large Australian Martin Boyd lidded ginger jar, painted with…

Martin Boyd Aboriginal Man Ginger Jar

A large Australian Martin Boyd lidded ginger jar, painted with a crouching aboriginal man on a pale lime green ground. Incised signature and other markings to base. Height 20 cm

A Lladro figural group of a native girl being carried on a…

Native Girl on Litter Figurine by Lladro

A Lladro figural group of a native girl being carried on a litter, printed and painted marks to base, numbered 30. Height 35 cm. Length 39 cm. Reference no. 1496. On wooden stand

A large Australian Martin Boyd lidded ginger jar, painted with…

Aboriginal Man Martin Boyd Ginger Jar

A large Australian Martin Boyd lidded ginger jar, painted with an aboriginal man on a blue ground. Impressed marks. Height 20 cm

A large Australian Martin Boyd lidded ginger jar, painted with…

Martin Boyd Aboriginal Man Ginger Jar

A large Australian Martin Boyd lidded ginger jar, painted with a crouching aboriginal man on a pale lime green ground. Impressed marks. Height 20 cm

A set of five Australian Martin Boyd mugs, painted with…

Martin Boyd Australian Aboriginal Mugs Set

A set of five Australian Martin Boyd mugs, painted with aboriginal figures, birds, snakes, etc., on various coloured grounds. Impressed marks. One with small rim chip. Height of each 12 cm

Two Brownie Downing Aboriginal child wall plaques. One with dog…

Aboriginal Child Wall Plaques with Dog

Two Brownie Downing Aboriginal child wall plaques. One with dog at foot. Height 16 (each)

One Aboriginal mask and three Brownie Downing wall figures (4)

Indigenous Art and Decor: Mask and Wall Figures

One Aboriginal mask and three Brownie Downing wall figures (4)

Aboriginal pot made by Eddie Puruntatameri. Tiwi Island. EP1979.…

Eddie Puruntatameri's Tiwi Island Aboriginal Pot

Aboriginal pot made by Eddie Puruntatameri. Tiwi Island. EP1979. 30 cm

Lladro figure 'Native' issue year: 1978 Sculptor: Salvador…

"Native" Lladro Figure by Salvador Debon (1978)

Lladro figure 'Native' issue year: 1978 Sculptor: Salvador Debon dimensions 76 x 28 cm

Two Australian Diana Aboriginal mugs

Diana Aboriginal Mugs from Down Under

Two Australian Diana Aboriginal mugs