Item X 97629 Ngupamurra | Axe, hafted. Milingimbi, Eastern Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia

Summary

This hafted stone axe is painted with stripes using natural pigments. The head is an edge ground stone set into a wooden handle using vegetable fibre and resin.

Local Name

Ngupamurra

Physical Description

A ground edge axe head mounted in beeswax onto a wooden handle. The handle is bound with bush string. Axehead and adjacent parts are decorated with red, yellow and black pigments in alternate stripes. String is partially covered with black ochre. End of handle is not covered in string and is painted in brown pigments. MATERIAL: stone; wood; beeswax; fibre; ochre. TECHNIQUE: flaked; pecked; ground; polished; hafted; painted. CONDITION: Some ochre worn off handle.