Item X 97631 Ngupamurra | Axe, hafted. Milingimbi, Eastern Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. c.1920

Summary

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

Local Name

Ngupamurra

Physical Description

Decorated ground edge stone axe with ochred split wood handle bound with ochred string at two points. The axe has been hafted onto the handle with beeswax. This section has been decorated with yellow ochred dots and a yellow and white strip around head of axe near join. MATERIAL: stone; string; beeswax; wood; ochre. TECHNIQUE: flaked; pecked; polished; painted; hafted; spun; bound.