Item X 87576 Burial container. Milingimbi, Eastern Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. pre 1966

Summary

This small container is most likely a model of a hollow log made for the internment of bones. They were variously known as a lorrkon, dupun or larrakitj in different parts of eastern Arnhem Land. It was made for the market and has an original printed tag still attached: "Crocodile Islands, Aboriginal Craftware, Milingimbi, Arnhem Land" (on front); and "Bone pole for small bones, 3/6" (on verso). The price would have been three shillings and sixpence so was made prior to 1966 when decimal currency was introduced into Australia.

Physical Description

A small circular post made from a single piece of wood hollow in the centre and painted with natural pigments. The background is painted with yellow ochre and the vertical rectangular sections are infilled with crosshatching.