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:

14 items found:

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

Aboriginal artists unknown, two message boards and a…

Aboriginal artists unknown, two message boards and a bull-roarer, two circa early 20th century patinated hardwood message boards, both with extensive fine carving and good patina. Plus a light wood bull roarer with carvings each side and a string to one…

Small and exceptional bullroarer. With beautifully incised…

Small and exceptional bullroarer. With beautifully incised geometric decoration. Early 20th century Western Australia. Length 22 cm

Old 19th century Australian Aboriginal bullroarer, with…

Old 19th century Australian Aboriginal bullroarer, with rectangular carved sections both sides, length 55 cm

Incised bullroarer, Broome Region, Western Australia. Carved…

Engraved Bullroarer from Broome, Western Australia

Incised bullroarer, Broome Region, Western Australia. Carved and engraved hardwood and natural pigment. Bullroarer is superbly carved with hypnotic la grange style carving. Approx length 42.5 x 6 cm. Provenance: Neville Dalton, Adelaide, South Australia.…

Early fine incised bullroarer, Kimberley, Western Australia.…

Kimberley Bullroarer: Ancient Instrument of Initiation

Early fine incised bullroarer, Kimberley, Western Australia. Carved and engraved hardwood and natural pigments. The bullroarer is a primitive instrument used at initiation and other ceremonies. It is an oblong section of wood, attached to a length of cord…

Fine incised bullroarer, Central Australia, carved and engraved…

Central Australian Incised Bullroarer

Fine incised bullroarer, Central Australia, carved and engraved hardwood and natural pigments (with custom stand) the bullroarer is a primitive instrument used at initiation and other ceremonies. It is an oblong section of wood, attached to a length of…

19th century Australian Aboriginal bullroarer. With old…

Antique Aboriginal Bullroarer with Provenance

19th century Australian Aboriginal bullroarer. With old restoration. Length 38 cm. Provenance: Pickles Auctions, the 1986 sale of Captain W.C. Thomson's Estate lot 46.

A 19th century Aboriginal bullroarer, both sides with fine…

19th Century Aboriginal Bullroarer with Lineal Carving

A 19th century Aboriginal bullroarer, both sides with fine lineal carving in square panels. Length 46.8 cm. This is an ancient ritual musical instrument and a device historically used for communicating over great distances.

An old Australian Aboriginal hardwood bullroarer of broad flat…

Aboriginal hardwood bullroarer with notched end

An old Australian Aboriginal hardwood bullroarer of broad flat shape, notched at one end for fibre cord, L.50 cm. Sold in these room in 1998 as a woomera.

Small & exceptional bullroarer. With beautifully incised…

Exquisite Incised Bullroarer from Early 20th Century WA

Small & exceptional bullroarer. With beautifully incised decoration, early 20th century, WA. Private collection Adelaide, SA, length 22 cm

Western Australian bullroarer of exceptional quality. Late 19th,…

Antique WA Bullroarer with Patina - Private Collection

Western Australian bullroarer of exceptional quality. Late 19th, early 20th century, showing a beautiful patina. Private collection NSW, length 31 cm

19th century bullroarer. With incised decoration, rubbed…

Antique Bullroarer with Incised Decoration

19th century bullroarer. With incised decoration, rubbed through years of handling, WA. Private collection SA, length 36 cm

Australian Aboriginal bull Roarer. Incised hatched decoration.…

Aboriginal Bull Roarer with Incised Hatch Decoration

Australian Aboriginal bull Roarer. Incised hatched decoration. Length 34 cm

Bullroarer & message stick, Western Australian origin, wood &…

WA Indigenous Instruments: Bullroarer & Message Stick

Bullroarer & message stick, Western Australian origin, wood & hair fibre. Length 40.5 cm & 46.5 cm