Spear

Source: Museums Victoria

Credit: The Donald Thomson Collection. On loan to Museums Victoria from The University of Melbourne.

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The Donald Thomson Collection. On loan to Museums Victoria from The University of Melbourne.

https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/151895

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Item DT 1762 warrngul | Spear. Gupapuyngu. Buckingham Bay, Eastern Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. pre 1935

Summary

The spears made of stingray spines are highly prized in Arnhem Land. They are made and owned by the Djambarrpuyngu clan and anthropologist Donald Thomson noted in 1936 that "great jealousy is aroused if these spears should be made by any but those specifically privileged".

Local Name

warrngul

Physical Description

A composite spear with a recessed butt and a multi-pronged head of stingray spines attached with resin. The upper shaft is painted with natural pigments with stripes and dots.

More Information

Object/Medium

Spear
Maker

Unknown
Cultural Groups

Gupapuyngu
Locality

Buckingham Bay, Eastern Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
Date Produced

pre 1935
Collector

Donald F. Thomson
Date Collected

02/08/1935
Object Measurements

2672 mm (Length), 51 mm (Width)
Classification

Bunjilaka, Many nations, Working country
Date Made

1935
Maker

Not Recorded
Clan/Language Group

Gobabwingu
Place Made

Buckingham Bay, Northern Territory, Australia
Indigenous Region

Arnhem, Australia
Keywords

Ceremony, Law and Order
Acquisition Information

Long-term Loan from The University of Melbourne, 28 Mar 1973
Collection Names

Donald Thomson Collection
Type of item

Object
Discipline

Anthropology
Category

First Peoples
Acknowledgement

The Donald Thomson Collection. On loan to Museum Victoria from The University of Melbourne.

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Item DT 1762 warrngul | Spear. Gupapuyngu. Buckingham Bay, Eastern Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. pre 1935

Summary

Local Name

Physical Description

More Information

Object/Medium

Maker

Cultural Groups

Locality

Date Produced

Collector

Date Collected

Object Measurements

Classification

Date Made

Maker

Clan/Language Group

Place Made

Indigenous Region

Keywords

Acquisition Information

Collection Names

Type of item

Discipline

Category

Acknowledgement