MACASSAN STORY

Important Aboriginal + Oceanic Art
Melbourne
27 March 2013
81

BIRRIKITJI GUMANA

(1898 - 1982)
MACASSAN STORY

natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark

110.5 x 50.0 cm

Estimate: 
$3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $2,400 (inc. BP) in Auction 28 - 27 March 2013, Melbourne
Provenance

Collection of J.A. Davidson, Melbourne
Private collection, Sydney
Private collection, Melbourne

A common theme in Arnhem Land bark painting, this work recalls the Macassan fisherman who every Wet Season would take advantage of the south East trade winds and travel to the shores of Arnhem Land to collect fish, pearl shell and sea cucumber (trepang).