Item X 83123 Bulbbe | Basket. Oenpelli, Western Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. 1979

Summary

This twined conical form was the classic basket produced and used traditionally across Arnhem Land. Images of these appear in the oldest rock art sequences in western Arnhem Land. These are still produced by women across Arnhem Land in their fibre art practice, particularly by older women. In the past these were often painted with ochre, like in this example with its red ochre base and pattern outlined in yellow. Kunwinjku women and fibre artists who visited the museum in 2004 remarked that the old lady who made this also painted it.

Local Name

Bulbbe

Physical Description

A twined conical basket made of pandanus painted with natural pigments. The multistrand handle of vegetable fibre string is attached to the rim at the back of the basket.