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:

21 items found:

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

A rare and significant set of three brass king plates: King…

A rare and significant set of three brass king plates: King John of Wagala, Ellen First Queen of Iluka and Sandyman and Biddy, King and Queen of Ashby, Clarence River region New South Wales, Australian circa 1840/50. Provenance: By repute: Sold to a…

Three framed Aboriginal King plates, purchased in Sydney 1985,…

Aboriginal King Plates from NSW Clarence River Area

Three framed Aboriginal King plates, purchased in Sydney 1985, in the Lawson's catalogue of 22/7/85, they were described as being issued between 1857 & 1861, NSW red cedar frame, the King plates are unique in that one was for a man, one for a woman, & one…

Barney King of Bubaranna breastplate made of brass and in a…

Brass Breastplate: Barney King of Bubaranna

Barney King of Bubaranna breastplate made of brass and in a curved shape and featuring the text 'Barney King of Bubaranna' with and etched emu and kangaroo to either corner. Two holes appear in the corners for attachment to a chain. Believed to be related…

An Aboriginal breast plate in brass, 20th century, engraved…

Aboriginal Brass Breastplate Engraved with General's Name

An Aboriginal breast plate in brass, 20th century, engraved 'Major General Latouche, Tambo Barcoo, Queensland, 21 cm across

Aboriginal King plate. Crescent form, brass with rustic…

Aboriginal King Plate with Engraving

Aboriginal King plate. Crescent form, brass with rustic engraving 'King Jack Dales Creek.' Thought to be hunter Valley. Scratch engraved verso 'S (?) Lawler.' Provenance: Bungan Castle Museum collection.

Aboriginal King plate. Crescent form, brass block engraved…

Aboriginal King Plate from Bungan Castle Museum Collection

Aboriginal King plate. Crescent form, brass block engraved 'William King of Wells Springs.' Provenance: Bungan Castle Museum collection.

19th century Aboriginal breastplate. Heavy gauge copper…

Aboriginal Breastplate with Bunjiree Name and Animals

19th century Aboriginal breastplate. Heavy gauge copper crescent with chased name 'Bunjiree' between a kangaroo and emu. Provenance: Bungan Castle Museum collection. Wt. 21g

19th century Aboriginal breastplate. Heavy gauge copper…

Aboriginal Breastplate with Engraved Names

19th century Aboriginal breastplate. Heavy gauge copper crescent. Crudely engraved 'Tommy Mura Stockman Donna' Provenance: Bungan Castle Museum collection. Wt. 23g

Aboriginal Breastplate. Brass crescent engraved 'Birabil'…

Aboriginal Breastplate: Birabil Engraved Crescent

Aboriginal Breastplate. Brass crescent engraved 'Birabil' Provenance: Bungan Castle Museum collection. Width 17 cm

Aboriginal Queen plate. Brass scalloped crescent crudely…

Aboriginal Queen Brass Plate with Leaf Decoration

Aboriginal Queen plate. Brass scalloped crescent crudely scratch engraved 'Ruby, Queen,' plus leaf decoration to each point. Provenance: Bungan Castle Museum collection. Wt. 18g

Brass Aboriginal breast plate 'King Gundy Sungirrilingong,…

Brass Aboriginal Breast Plate, 1839

Brass Aboriginal breast plate 'King Gundy Sungirrilingong, Lachlan River 1839' believed to be made by Thomas Teely who owned property between Cowra and Forbes called 'Bungirillingong' now called 'Bungerelingong' when purchased by Welsh Brothers around…

Aboriginal Breastplate. Hand chased shield form brass, 'Black…

Aboriginal Breastplate: Black Bob King of Duck Creek

Aboriginal Breastplate. Hand chased shield form brass, 'Black Bob King of Duck Creek.' Provenance: Bungan Castle Museum collection. Height 18 cm

19th century brass Aboriginal breastplate. 'Jimmy, L.T.C.E.A.M.…

Brass Aboriginal Breastplate with Boomerangs Decoration

19th century brass Aboriginal breastplate. 'Jimmy, L.T.C.E.A.M.' decorated with boomerangs. Provenance: Bungan Castle Museum collection. Length 21 cm

Aboriginal breastplate. Crescent form brass, chased & punched,…

Aboriginal Breastplate: Tommy, Chief and Tracker

Aboriginal breastplate. Crescent form brass, chased & punched, 'Tommy, Chief of Tully Plains, Tracker.' Tully Plains lie between the Murray & Tully rivers, North Queensland. Provenance: Bungan Castle Museum collection. Width 29 cm

Aboriginal breastplate. Brass, crescent form. Stamped: 'Tobacco,…

Aboriginal Breastplate, Red Hill 1883

Aboriginal breastplate. Brass, crescent form. Stamped: 'Tobacco, tea, Flour, King Charlie, Stockman, Red Hill 1883.' Provenance: Bungan Castle Museum collection, 13 x 29 cm

Aboriginal breastplate. Engraved 'Queenie, 1855.' nickel plated…

Aboriginal Breastplate: Queenie, 1855

Aboriginal breastplate. Engraved 'Queenie, 1855.' nickel plated copper. Provenance: Bungan Castle Museum collection, 12 x 15 cm

An Aboriginal brass breast plate inscribed 'Queen Agnes of…

Aboriginal Brass Breast Plate: Queen Agnes of Anoora

An Aboriginal brass breast plate inscribed 'Queen Agnes of Anoora' depicting two kangaroos beside a tree to top left and two emus with a chick to top right with the inscription to the centre, stamped to rear with two unidentified marks and NSW, 21.2 cm…

Aboriginal breast plate 'Colin King of Wallambata & Byron…

Aboriginal Breast Plate: Colin King of Wallambata

Aboriginal breast plate 'Colin King of Wallambata & Byron Plains' circa 1850s. Width 15 cm

Aboriginal breast plate engraved 'Mickey Chief Of Trinkee…

Mickey Chief Breast Plate - 1840s Engraved Brass

Aboriginal breast plate engraved 'Mickey Chief Of Trinkee Plains' early cast brass circa 1840s. Width 15 cm

A boomerang made and used by the King of Murrumbidgee,…

King of Murrumbidgee's Fighting Boomerang

A boomerang made and used by the King of Murrumbidgee, Murrumbidgee, New South Wales (mid nineteenth century), carved hardwood and sterling silver, 88 cm long. A fighting boomerang that carries a sterling silver plaque identifying it as having been 'made…

King Plate: Aboriginal breast plate or Gorget engraved 'Mulga…

Aboriginal King Plate, Mulga of Barabinja, 1892

King Plate: Aboriginal breast plate or Gorget engraved 'Mulga King of the Barabinja, Bullan Plains, 1892'. Rare. 25 x 9 cm