Item X 81198 Carving. Milingimbi, Eastern Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. c.1950

Summary

This wooden painted figure could be the ancestor Murayana who began his journey at Djiliwirri, a place on the western side of Buckingham Bay and the spiritual homeland for Gupapuyngu Daygurrgurr clan.

Physical Description

An anthropomorphic figure set on a circular base and made from a single piece of hardwood. It is painted with natural pigments, the base and torso are black and two vertical bands outlined with white pipe clay and infilled with red are painted on the chest. The head is painted with yellow ochre, and the face outlined in white pipe clay with the features painted with red ochre and black pigment. A white feather is adhered to the head.