amsd_00167

Title: A message stick listed on ebay

Description: Fine Old Aboriginal Message Stick - Central Desert 1960's

Creator of Object: Unknown

Item type: message stick from a private sale

Source types: sale item, ebay

Notes: From seller dingoblood, listed on eBay 16 September 2016: "This small cigar shaped message stick would have been carried when travelling as a sign of good faith to other communities. It was collected in the Central Desert in the 1960's and is carved from hardwood with very fine designs engraved allover. It has a good handling patina and measures 19cm in length. Registered Post within Australia will cost $8AU. Airmail to the US will be $14AU and anywhere in Europe $18AU" PK requested more information about provenance, language and meaning. Response on 19 September 2016: "Hi Thanks for the email. Unfortunately I do not give out names of the previous owner or collector unless I know the buyer. The piece was collected around Lajamanu so it is safe to assume the language is Warlpiri The stick was carried aboriginal's when they travelled and it's function was to let Aboriginal's know that they meant no harm and it was carried as a sign of good faith when travelling amongst other people's land. Thanks Jonathan"

Media Files:

Data Entry: Piers Kelly