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:

6 items found:

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

An ironwood bust, Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory, height 50 cm

Ironwood Bust from Tiwi Islands, NT

An ironwood bust, Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory, height 50 cm

A hand carved and painted Tiwi Island sculpture of a brolga,…

Tiwi Island Brolga Sculpture

A hand carved and painted Tiwi Island sculpture of a brolga, height 131 cm

Lipundja Gupapuyngu (C.1912 ? 1968), Mokuy spirit figure, C.…

Mokuy Spirit Figure from Central Arnhem Land

Lipundja Gupapuyngu (C.1912 ? 1968), Mokuy spirit figure, C.1963. Carved and engraved softwood and natural earth pigment. Provenance: Created at Milingimbi, Central Arnhem land. Private Collection, Sydney. Private Collection, New South Wales. Cf. Wild…

Two old boomerangs, both with incised designs, one has a spirit…

Boomerangs with Incised Designs from Lord McAlpine Collection

Two old boomerangs, both with incised designs, one has a spirit figure on both sides. Provenance: Lord Alistair McAlpine (1942-2014); a British businessman, politician and author who was an advisor to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, he was a lifetime…

A Mimi spirit sculpture 62 cm

Mystical Mimi: 62cm Spirit Sculpture

A Mimi spirit sculpture 62 cm

Aboriginal bird sculpture, made from iron wood, and decorated…

Aboriginal Ironwood Bird Sculpture with Ochre Decoration

Aboriginal bird sculpture, made from iron wood, and decorated with ochre. Melvil Island. 73 cm