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The Richard Berry Collection - Part 2, Day 1 — Young's Auctions (No longer trading)

Auction House:Young's Auctions (No longer trading)Number of lots recorded:521
Sale Title:The Richard Berry Collection - Part 2, Day 1Lots with images:513
Auction Location:MelbournePrices available:454
Date:29-Mar-2009
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Fighting boomerang, Murray-Darling region. Shallow curved shape incised with elaborate decoration, a rare item with original patina, beautiful feel and well weighted, 126 cm
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Boomerang, Murray-Darling region, shallow curved shape, decorated with two lines of incised concentric oval patterns and a zig-zag edge
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Boomerang, Flinders Ranges, South Australia, incised on the front with distinctive figurative designs (dingoes, fish, spirit figure, kangaroos, birds and lizards), 5 cross-hatched bands, incised linear decoration and woven motif, the reverse partly decorated with incised lines, an unusual and rare piece. 91 cm
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Fighting club. NSW origin. Diamond shaped head and carved handle grip. Incised on both sides with bi-linear wavy decoration and 2 spirit figures. Fine old patina, a rare piece. 69 cm
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Fighting club, south-East Australian origin, diamond shaped head and carved hand-grip, incised on both sides with pecked linear decoration. Hole drilled in handle
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Fighting club, coastal Queensland origin. Head with two rows of raised nodules (some damage), fine linear shaft with pecked hand-grip. 83 cm
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Three (3) Queensland throwing clubs. All with pecked hand-grips, 2 with incised linear striations. One with a hole drilled in handle. 62, 70 and 75 cm
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Woomera (spear thrower). South Central Australian, convex reverse with striated fluting and two bands of cross-hatching. Shallow concave front with striated fluting, fire hardened, peg missing. 84 cm
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Woomera (spear thrower), Central Australian, western desert origin, ovoid leaf shaped body, the front with incised decoration, the back adzed finished and has the original gum mounted peg. 85 cm
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Coolamon (food carrier), Central Australian origin, exterior incised with spiral decoration and original ochre. 45 cm
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Coolamon (food carrier). Central Australian, of elongated oval form. Inner surface with adzed striations, the outer surface also with adzed markings and remains of ochre decoration. Spinifex gum repair to exterior
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Shield and boomerang. North central Australian origin. The shield of an elongated ovoid shape, convex front decorated with adzed striations and deep cut lug handle. The hunting boomerang with fluted decoration to the convex front. Shield: 69.5 cm, boomerang: 65 cm
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Boomerang. Glossy patina with attached manuscript note to reverse: 'Very old boomerang actually used by Aborigines in early days. Owned many years ago by Mr George Valentine, Bank Manager of Bendigo.' Permit required. 48 cm
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Boomerang, the front decorated with pokerwork stars, lines and a semi-circle border, the reverse with ink and pencil notation. 'Xmas 1924 Healesville. Presented by W. Barthelemew, Senior Constable. Presented to Cyril Bottenger from Senior Constable of Healesville.' 67 cm
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Boomerang, NSW Riverina origin, convex front highly decorated with stylised serpent motif, incised zig-zag decoration and cross-hatched hand-grip, adzed reverse. Very good condition, rare, a 'Must Have' addition to any collection. 84 cm
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Boomerang, NSW Riverina origin, convex front incised with zig-zag diamond shaped decoration. 87 cm
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Boomerang. South-east Australian. Fine curved form with defined adze marks to the front and reverse. Deep rich patina. Permit required. 53 cm
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Boomerang. South-east Australian. Fine curved form with defined adze marks to the front and reverse. 19th century patina, slight damage to tip. Permit required. 52 cm
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Boomerang. South-east Australian origin. Convex front with a flat reverse, obvious adze marks and rich patina. Hole and split at one end. Permit required. 47 cm
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Diamond head fighting club, convex front with 6 bands of pecked marking. Remains of fluting to the shaft and handle, 19th century patina, a well weighted club. 72 cm
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Mushroom head club, south-East Australian origin, dark 19th century patina, pinch tip handle, minor chips and splitting to distal end. 67 cm
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Mushroom head club, south-East Australian origin, pecked and banded hand-grip, dark 19th century patina, minor splitting to distal end. 62 cm
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Mushroom head club, south-East Australian origin, dark 19th century patina, some splitting to distal end. 62 cm
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South-East Australian fighting club, adzed bulbous design with tapered handle and carved pineapple hand-grip. 77 cm
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Darling river club, broad triangular shaped head, smooth adzed finish and faint signs of ochre decoration. 76 cm
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Darling River throwing club. Shallow triangular head with raised defining line, curved body with smooth fire finished patination. 85 cm
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Hooked club, south East Australian origin. Linear worked shaft with banded tip and carved hand-grip. Lovely patina. 76 cm
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Group of three (3) East Australian throwing clubs, bulbous heads, all with pecked hand-grips, fluted linear decoration and old patina. 68 cm each
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Boomerang. South-East Australian origin. Adzed decorated convex front and cross hatched incising to the handle. 55 cm
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Group of three (3) spears. Northern Australian origin. Two with single barbed tips, remains of gum and fibre joins, the other missing one prong. 284, 292 and 296 cm
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Two (2) unusual metal tip spears, probably Northern Australian origin. Both with bamboo shafts, tips secured with fibre/string and resin. 145 and 272 cm
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Two (2) spears. Northern Australian origin. Barbed heads with remains of coloured decoration. One has been shortened, the other with damaged tip. 184 and 253 cm
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Spear. Central Australian origin, incised wavy decoration. Tip and barb secured by gummed fibre. Split at lower end. 244 cm
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Two (2) spears. North Australian (Arnhem Land) origin. One with barbed wooden prongs fixed to shaft with gum. Remains of band colouration, the other a single shaft with carved barbs and striped coloured decoration. 234 and 273 cm
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Collection of Australian spears, including double tipped, two from Arnhem Land, barbed tip and 3 spear shafts.
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Aboriginal bark painting. Groote Eylandt. Goanna with 2 didgeridoos. Handwritten label on the reverse, 'Artist: Jatjungu, 60 yrs. Tribe: Wagaluk. The goanna of the .... associated with Yulanggur the sacred didgeridoo of the myth of the Wagaluk sisters'. In fine condition with strong colours and brushwork. 60 x 25 cm
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Aboriginal bark painting. Groote Eylandt. Natural earth pigments. Notation chalked on the reverse, 'Big fish chasing small fish'. 28 x 23 cm
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Aboriginal bark painting. Groote Eylandt. Natural earth pigments. Notation chalked on the reverse, 'Man Making Fire In Shade Of Tree'. 32 x 27.5 cm
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Aboriginal bark painting. Groote Eylandt, natural earth pigments, 'Man Smoking a pipe' on black background. 33 x 22.5 cm
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Northern Australian didgeridoo. Bees-wax mouthpiece and white ochre decoration depicting spirit figures, turtle, lines and dots. 103 cm
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Tiwi Island, long handled club with tapered shaft, the head decorated with bands of natural earth colours. Shallow ribbing, full length adzed lines. 97 cm
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Aboriginal bark painting, natural earth pigments, typed label attached to the reverse, 'Dreamtime - Umbakumba Tribe, Groote Eylandt, N.T. Australia. (See: 'Kunapipi' for reference)' 14.5 x 5.5 cm
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Pair of painted ceremonial dance objects. Northern Australian origin. Natural earth pigments in cross hatch design. 37 and 35 cm
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Group of three barbed spear tips, Northern Australian origin, decorated with coloured dot decoration on black ground. 40 cm, 45 cm and 46 cm
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Ceremonial dance object, Northern Australian origin, elongated ovoid form with narrow waist, line and dot motif on a dark ground
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Three (3) barbed wooden spear tips, Northern Australian, gum residue and remains of colour pigmentation. 47, 66 and 75 cm
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Woomera (spear thrower). Elongated ovoid shape, incised on reverse with pecked lines. Remains of ochre colouring. Resin at one end, no peg. 32 cm
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Aboriginal bark painting, Arnhem Land, natural earth pigments, typed label on the reverse, 'Artist: Makani ... Painting: 4 fat Poison snakes and a smaller one of another species moving under a tree'.
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Digging stick, Central Australian, five pokerwork bands. 52 x 23 cm
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Short-handled punishment spear. Central Australian. Bands of pokerwork decoration. 78 cm
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Two (2) digging sticks. Central Australian. Pokerwork decoration. 76 and 102 cm
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Three (3) carved wooden figurative goannas, one with pecked linear design, one with pokerwork linear design, the other with minimal pecked decoration. All with damage to legs. 43, 34 and 60 cm
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Coolamon (food carrier), ovoid shape with pokerwork bands and lozenges plus a carved pokerwork snake figure. 46 x 36 cm
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Parrying shield, central west Victorian, the long heavy body incised with decorative geometric lozenges, pipe clay and ochre decoration, deep cut lug handle and heavy adze marks on the reverse.
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Wunda shield. West Australian. Traditional incised zig-zag front and alternating coloured fluting, the reverse finished with deep adzed fluting. Lug handle and remains of old ochre. A 'Must-Have' piece for any collection. Museum quality
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Fighting club. South east Australian. Of bulbous phallic form. Tip and shaft with spiral pecked zig-zag decoration. A substantial club with bulbous hand-grip, no doubt wielded by a strong man! 76 cm
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Parrying shield. South east Australian. Elongated ovoid shape, with 10 bands of unusual pokerwork decoration. Obvious adze marks to the reverse with lug handle. An excellent and rare example with rich patination. Heavy and well weighted. 78 cm
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Spear thrower. South East Australian, lake Tyers. Elongated leaf shaped body, the front decorated with incised figures of a kangaroo, emu and hunter with parrying shield and spear, the reverse with lightly incised images of a goanna, swan, turtle, 2 snakes and a fish. Note the unusual selection of knotted timber on the reverse. Slight damage to distal end. Examples of this quality and age are rarely seen. 66 cm
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Spear thrower. South East Australian origin. Pokerwork decoration of foliage, half hoops (scales) and diamond lozenge (fish head). Very rare pokerwork inscription on the body, 'Lake Tyers'. 45 cm
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Broadshield. Murray River region. Pipe clay and ochre, incised zig-zag quarters separated by a plain cross. 19th century. Permit required. 67 cm
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Fighting club. South East Australian. Handsome proportions with bulbous pointed head decorated with pecked designs. Red and blue colouration. 80 cm
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Short handled club. South East Australian. Square tapered bulbous head with blocks of intricate pecked design, the handle stylised in the form of a blue-tongue lizard tail. 19th century. 64 cm
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Fighting club. South East Australian. Bulbous head and striated handle. 73 cm
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Parrying shield. South East Australian origin. Elongated triangular profile with deep cut handle. One side deeply incised with bands and zig-zag decoration and remnants of pipe clay. Strong black and red colouring. 19th century
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Boomerang club. South east Australian. Carved handle, dark patina. 67 cm
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Short handled club, south East Australian, bulbous pointed head, incised lines, semi-circles and scales, carved stepped grip handle, 19th century. 55 cm
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Club, south East Australian, bulbous 4-sided pointed head decorated with incised lines, circles and faint cross-hatching. Handle with unusual spiral twist carving, 19th century. 63.5 cm
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Fighting club. South East Australian. Short bulbous pointed head, incised lines and semi-circular bands. Carved hand-grip with bands of incised feathers to the shaft. 19th century. 63 cm
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Dowak (throwing stick). West Australian. Fluted linear decoration finishing with a feathered handle. 70 cm
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Fighting club, (nulla nulla), north East Australian, bulbous head decorated with incised zig-zagging and striations running to a cross-hatched hand-grip. 55.5 cm
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Boomerang. South East Australian, of shallow curved shape, with convex front patterned with bi-linear wavy lines, old glue repair.
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Boomerang, East Australian, a shallow curve with plain tips, body finely detailed with pecked dots and incised zig-zag lines, 19th century, 62.5 cm
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Three (3) hunting boomerangs. Central Australian. All with linear desert country fluting and remains of ochre. 71 cm, 72 cm and 79 cm
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Three (3) boomerangs, south East Australian, convex fronts and obvious adze markings, reverse sides all flat with adze marks, lengths 57 cm, 58 cm and 60 cm
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Three (3) boomerangs. Various origins. 62, 69 and 71 cm
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Two (2) boomerangs. South East Australian. 19th century. 53 and 68 cm
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Two (2) boomerangs. Unidentified source area. 19th century. 58 and 69 cm
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Woomera (spear thrower). Adelaide, South Australia region, broad flat shaped, finely crafted and finished, with gum handle and gum fastened peg, a clean original piece
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Woomera (spear thrower). South Australia (northern region). Elongated curved body with gum hand-grip. Peg affixed with gum and cotton thread. 57 cm
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Parrying shield, south East Australian. Unusual goanna shaped profile, finished on one side with incised concentric diamonds, zig-zags and remnants of pipe clay decoration. Very rare shape, 19th century. 89 cm
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Club. South east Australian. Bulbous head with two bands of incised decoration around the shaft. 19th century piece with unusual ebonised finish. 57 cm
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Club. South East Australian. 19th century, faint remnants of incised decoration. 76 cm
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Woomera (spear thrower). South East Australian. Long and narrow with triangular shaped central section, incised on two sides with cross-hatching and circular patterns. 68 cm
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Woomera (spear thrower). South East Australian, 19th century, incised decoration to the front of the body and distal end. 60 cm
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Shield, south East Australian, of unusual design on ovoid body with fishtail ends, incised semi-circular pattern surrounding a central cross, signs of ochre colouration, deep lug cut handle to reverse. 19th century, old borer holes, a rare design that is seldom seen or recorded. 71 x 22 cm
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Parrying shield. South east Australian. Strong chevron design with remnants of unusual colouring. Convex front and deep lug cut handle to reverse. 19th century. 68 cm
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Parrying shield. South east Australian. Incised chevron designs, the tips with broad cross-hatching. Convex front and a deep lug cut handle to the reverse. 19th century with remnants of ochre and colouration. 70.5 cm
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Digging stick. South East Australian. Incised zig-zag motif to the handle. Body decorated with incised bands and light cross-hatching. 75 cm
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Club. South East Australian. Bulbous pointed head and carved bulbous handle, the shaft and head pecked decorative bands. Cracks and old borer. 61 cm
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Boomerang. Murray Darling region. Dark patina with incised totemic design to the front. Pinch tipped ends with pecked decoration. 80 cm
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Boomerang. Murray Darling region. Dark patina incised with strings of ovoid lozenges. 74 cm
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Boomerang, Murray Darling region, incised intertwined zig-zag and serpent decoration. Lovely old patina, holed, tip missing. 85 cm
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Parrying shield. Kimberley region. Elongated curved ovoid form, richly incised linear decoration to the front, the reverse fully decorated with a border of semi-circles and lines, accompanied by emu track decoration. Remains of gum repair. 75 cm
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Woomera, West Australian origin, flat elongated body, richly incised with a geometric zig-zag pattern, the reverse showing adze marks, gum and fibre mounted peg, beautiful dark colour, old paper label to the reverse. 65 cm
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Two (2) clubs. South East Queensland. One of smooth curved form and dark patination, the other with incised bulbous handle and fluted decoration. 62 and 63 cm
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Two (2) woomeras. North West Australian origin. Long, thin bodies with defined handles. Pegs missing. 88.5 and 91 cm
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Three (3) clubs. South East Australian, each displaying incised linear decoration and pecked hand-grips. 60, 62 and 68 cm
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A collection of boomerangs or part boomerangs. Mostly damaged in one way or another. Late 19th and early 20th century examples. 7 boomerangs and assorted pieces.
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Boomerang, digging stick and club. Group of 3 artefacts including a central Australian boomerang, desert region digging stick and south east Australian fighting club. 62, 73 and 60 cm
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Two (2) boomerangs. Returning types with flat bodies. Dark patination. 62 and 61 cm
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