Traditional Aboriginal Artifacts
There are a wide variety of traditional Aboriginal Artifacts and they differ widely depending on the area. The artifacts from one language group could be quite different to the artifacts collected in another. For example aboriginal shields from North Queensland are very different from the Shields in New South Wales. Not only do they look different the way they were used is also often different
It would take a thick book to cover Traditional Aboriginal Artifacts in depth. This is a beginners guide with links to more detailed information contained on this site.
I collect Aboriginal Artefacts. If you want to Sell an aboriginal artifact please feel free to contact me and send me an image.
There is a vast variation in size, form, decoration, and function of Australian Aboriginal Artifacts. This variation reflects the social and cultural diversity of Aboriginal people. Australian Aboriginals had over 200 languages.
In some regions people wore cloacks made of possum skins while in others pwoplw were near naked.
Many Artefacts of spiritual importance were ephemiral and created to be made for ceremony and then destroyed.
Traditional Aboriginal Artefacts Weapons
Traditional Adoriginal Artefacts Adornments
In general Aboriginal Adornments are quite rare in collections compared to other cultures. Many of these adornments are simple when seen by themselves. They were often a part of a decorated and painted body.
The reason these artefacts are rare is that many adornments were only made for ceremonial occasions so were not made to last or were signs of status and could not be traded.
Amongst the most beautiful of adornments is the Aboriginal pearl shell pubic covers of the Kimberley
Carrying Artefacts
The best known carrying artefacts are the coolamon dishes on which I have written a seperate article. Of equal importance though are the Dilly bags. These dilly bags were made of woven fibre and were often worn around the kneck. Some were highly decorated and worn not just for practicle purposes but as a part of an ensemble.
The most collectable form of Carying artefact are the baskets from North Queensland which are so beutifully constructed they become works of art in their own right.
Aboriginal Stone Artefacts
Aboriginal Stone Artefacts were quite common but should not be collected. These artefacts can tell us important things about the past and if seen should be reported and left in situ. Flaked stones were used for cutting, as spear tips and for ceremonial purposes. Larger stone tools were used for pounding and grinding. Decorated incised stones are called tjuringa and are secret, sacred, and full of spiritual meaning. The designs on Tjuringa are the origin of the meaning of Aboriginal artworks painted by papunya Artists
Ceremonial Head Dress
Several areas of Aboriginal Australia had head dresses used only for the most important ceremonial occasions. These were often destroyed after use and are extremely rare and quite collectable. These head dresses when combined with body painting and adornment were used in coroborree. Different areas had different head dresses or some none at all.
Aboriginal Sculpture
I have written a separate article on Aboriginal Sculpture.
Most of the Sculpture artefacts are very different to the aboriginal sculpture made after contact. Traditional sculpture was often carved rough but painted in great detail.
Traditional Aboriginal Artefacts as art
Many of the traditional Aboriginal Artefacts are art works in their own right. Those made for ceremonial occasions were often made and painted with the greatest of skill. If you have a traditional Aboriginal Artefact outside of Australia it would be nice to see it back in it’s country of origin. Please feel free to contact me and I may be able to find it a good custodian.
All images in this article are for educational purposes only.
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