Sturt bean wood & pigments
Mid 20th century
Length: 25 3/4 inches
Provenance: Michael Hamson, CA; purchased by a government-employed horticulturalist from an elderly Pintupi man at Papunya, 1974-75. These Central Desert shields are typically made from the softwood of the Sturt bean tree. They are invariably painted with a base of red ochre and decorated with organic patterns of dots and circles, using traditional pigments. The face is also carved with a subtle grooved surface and has fluted edges. This fine example probably dates to the 1960’s.

€ 2,800