TTF2019

Title: A message stick listed on eBay

Description: eBay description: "EXCEPTIONALLY FINE HAND PAINTED GROOTE EYLANDT ABORIGINAL MESSAGE STICK Presenting a magnificent vintage hand carved and decorated wooden Australian Aboriginal message stick originating from the Groote Eylandt region. This exceptional example has been carved from one solid piece of timber and beautifully hand decorated with ochre pigments. Both sides of this piece have been hand painted decorated with fine cross hatched stripes rendered in earthy black, white, rust red and mustard ochres. The original woven fibre has been threaded through a hook to the top for display purposes. Examples from this region are highly prized with fine vintage examples rarely coming onto the market. This fine example is presented in good vintage condition with age related wear to the ochre, as is to be expected with an artifact from this period and is a part of the charm and authenticity of the piece. This superb piece has been very well cared and presents spectacularly. This fine example measures approx 440mms or 17.25 inches in length and 50mms or 2 inches in width. in height x 80mms in width. This exceptionally fine piece would make an outstanding addition to any Groote Eyelandt, Australian Aboriginal or tribal art collection."

Item type: message stick from a private sale

Subtype: unknown

State/Territory: NT

Linguistic area 1: Chirila: Anindilyakwa Austlang: N151 - Anindilyakwa Glottolog: anin1240

Notes on linguistic areas: The origin of the message stick is Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory.

Cultural region: TopEnd_groote

Dimension 1: 440mm Dimension 2: 80mm Dimension 3: 50mm

Coordinates: 13°58'0.001200"S,136°34'59.998800"E  (-13.966667, 136.583333)

Notes on coordinates: Absolute coordinates for Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory, per Google maps. Wikipedia: Groote Eylandt is the largest island in the Gulf of Carpentaria and the fourth largest island in Australia.

Notes: Listed on 25 April 2019 by eBay seller threetreefrogs. Opening bid: $280.00 eBay item number:233208422280 PK contacted seller to ask for more information on provenance. Response on 26 April 2019: "Hi, sorry I don't have any more info. It was an estate find some years ago. It has been in my collection, regards TTF"

Media Files:

Data Entry: Piers Kelly, Nitzan Rotman