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:

13 items found:

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

Old Australian aboriginal bullroarer/flat stick, elongated…

Old Australian aboriginal bullroarer/flat stick, elongated lozenge form, some scratched maker's marks otherwise plain, length 53.5 cm

Rare ceremonial post (Walgaroo), Kimberley, Western Australia.…

Kimberley Walgaroo Ceremonial Post

Rare ceremonial post (Walgaroo), Kimberley, Western Australia. Carved and engraved hardwood, European paint and natural pigment. Walgaroo or ceremonial post is kept with a singing stick. Approx length 48.5 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Queensland.…

Early Australian Aboriginal Club/Digging stick, of cylindrical…

Aboriginal Club/Digging Stick with Incised Lines

Early Australian Aboriginal Club/Digging stick, of cylindrical form, with rounded ends, incised lines to one end, good patina, length 90 cm. Provenance: tribal ancient, then private collection, Queensland

Various Australian Aboriginal art objects, Peggy Griffiths, b.…

Aboriginal Art Objects: Carved Nut, Clap Sticks, Coolamon

Various Australian Aboriginal art objects, Peggy Griffiths, b. 1941 carved boab nut; pair of painted clap sticks, length 50 cm; & two painted coolamon length 46 cm, each.

Two Aboriginal boomerangs and a digging stick

Aboriginal Boomerangs and Digging Stick

Two Aboriginal boomerangs and a digging stick

Rare Gwinjull (singing stick), Kimberley, Western Australia.…

Rare Kimberley Gwinjull Singing Stick

Rare Gwinjull (singing stick), Kimberley, Western Australia. Carved and engraved hardwood and natural pigment. Provenance: Private Collection, New South Wales. Cf. Page 57, Aboriginal artefacts Tom McCourt. Approx. length 57 x 12 cm

Two Australian walking sticks carved with native flora and…

Aboriginal Carved Walking Sticks with Flora and Fauna

Two Australian walking sticks carved with native flora and fauna, most likely Aboriginal mission work, late 19th century, 94 cm and 87 cm high

A large Aboriginal Coolamon with incised design, a digging…

Aboriginal Artifacts Collection

A large Aboriginal Coolamon with incised design, a digging stick with incised design, a snake carving and a shell necklace, length 78-50 cm

Digging stick, Australian Aboriginal, red ochre finish with…

Aboriginal Lizard Motif Digging Stick

Digging stick, Australian Aboriginal, red ochre finish with lizard motif, length 103 cm

19th century Aboriginal Paroo sword. Long hardwood curved stick…

Aboriginal Paroo Sword - 19th Century

19th century Aboriginal Paroo sword. Long hardwood curved stick with edge to three quarters of length. Small old losses. Use patina. Paroo river. Provenance: Baldwin Spencer collection, thence Bungan Castle Museum, length 142 cm

A collection of Aboriginal spears and artifacts from Groote…

Aboriginal Spear Collection from Groote Eylandt & Maningrida

A collection of Aboriginal spears and artifacts from Groote Eylandt & Maningrida including wood shovel nose spear, steel shovel nose spear, stone head, pointed wood killing spear, Woomera, kangaroo bone fishing spear, digging stick. Provenance: The Alex &…

A pair of Aboriginal clap sticks with fine cross hatch designs…

Aboriginal Cross Hatch Clap Sticks

A pair of Aboriginal clap sticks with fine cross hatch designs in natural ochres. Central Australia. Length 46 cm

Two various Aboriginal items, including Arnhem Land didgeridoo,…

Aboriginal Decorated Items: Didgeridoo & Digging Stick

Two various Aboriginal items, including Arnhem Land didgeridoo, decorated with cross hatched animals; & ochre decorated digging stick. Length 94 cm; length 10 cm