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Australian History — Mossgreen Auctions (No longer trading)

Articles on this Sale

Auction House:Mossgreen Auctions (No longer trading)Number of lots recorded:783
Sale Title:Australian HistoryLots with images:781
Auction Location:MelbournePrices available:441
Date:11-Dec-2017
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Group of six assorted surveyor's tripods, 19th and 20th century, the tallest 150 cm
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Four suryeyor's field measures, early 20th century
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Collection of hand tools, compasses, periscopes. Box Brownie camera, lamp and surveyor's tools, 19th and 20th century
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Art deco shop mannequin bust, circa 1925, on turned wooden stand, 109 cm high
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Six carved and painted decoy ducks, 20th century, including signed Ken Hopkins example from Western Australia, each approx 25-35 cm
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A heavy cast iron fire place backing plate, dated 1664, with royal coat of arms, 66 cm high, 74 cm wide
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A wall barometer made for T. Gaunt of Melbourne, circa 1900, cast iron housing with brass bezel, 16 cm diameter
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A carpenter's tool trunk and tools, pine, 19th century, 40 cm high, 84 cm wide, 47 cm deep
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A plaster relief plaque of an Aborigine, mid 20th century, 45 cm diameter
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A pair of ceramic koala cream jugs, 20th century, stamped Marutomo Ware Japan, 10.5 cm high
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An early Colonial picture frame, fiddleback blackwood, Tasmanian origin, circa 1840, 45 x 36.5 cm (internal size 32.5 x 24 cm)
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A Tramp Art picture frame, carved Australian cedar, circa 1895, 34 x 33 cm (internal size 13 x 12.5 cm)
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A Colonial Australian cedar picture frame, N.S.W. origin, circa 1840, 31.5 x 41.5 cm (internal size 21.5 x 31.5 cm)
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A large fiddleback blackwood picture frame, Tasmanian origin, circa 1890, fiddleback veneer on blackwood, 83 x 63 cm (internal size 63 x 43.5 cm)
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An Australian cedar puzzle frame, late 19th century, 30 x 26 cm
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An elaborately carved kauri pine picture frame, circa 1900, 58 x 38 cm (internal size 22.5 x 14.5 cm)
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An Australian folk art rocking horse, carved and painted Eucalyptus, early 20th century, 75 cm high, 126 cm wide, 48 cm deep. Provenance: Small & Whitfield lot 149, 19/10/1987, Illustrated in 'Australian Country Furniture' by Toby and Juliana Hopper
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A rare miniature wardrobe from Tanunda (South Australia), 19th century, eleborately chip carved in various patterns including The Tree of Life and the Distelfinks, original finish and meteal work, decorated on the top and back, 35 cm high, 22 cm across, 12 cm deep, Illustrated in 'Australian Country Furnitrue' by Toby and Juliana Hooper (fig.243)
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A folk art steam ship and a cedar pond yacht hull, circa 1930s, the ship 47 cm long
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An Australian folk art pull-along turtle toy, circa 1935, 34 cm long
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Collection of vintage and antique instrument boxes and case, measuring instruments, writing tools, calipers etc
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An Australian miniature travelling trunk, painted pine with rope handles, 19th century, 23 cm high, 40 cm wide, 27 cm deep
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A Richard Freres Barograph in timber case, early to mid 20th century, stamped R.F. Freres, Paris
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Collection of 101 slide rulers and 5 instructional books, 20th century
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A Performance By the Melbourne Garrick Club, June 1856, Coppin's Olympic theatre broadside with original cream silk and lace border, 310 x 280 mm, the broadside itself with old folds and water stains, framed. Printed at the 'Auction Mart Daily Advertiser' Office, 23 Collins Street, East. The performance was in aid of Funds for the recently established Benevolent Society.
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(Tasmania & India), Silk broadside for the Launceston-based Pollard's Lilliputian Opera Company performance of Audran's comic opera 'La Mascotte' at the Corinthian Theatre, Calcutta, December 21st 1896. 350 x 200 mm. Formed in Launceston in 1881 and later moving to Melbourne, the Pollard Lilliputian Opera Co. successfully toured Australasia, Japan, China, India, South Africa, the United States and Canada. It disbanded in 1910. For this performance in Calcutta, there are several Pollards in the cast and…
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(Theatre) Princess's Theatre, Melbourne, silk handbill for the September 1901 production of the play 'Nadjezda'. The director was Tyrone Power Snr (father of the Hollywood actor of the same name), who also played the male lead.
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(Advertising) 'the Referee', Australia's Best Sporting Paper.' and 'The Globe The News Of All The World' circa 1911. Enamel on metal sign, 31 x 46 cm. The Referee was a newspaper published in Sydney from 1886 to 1939. The Globe (1911-1914) was a weekly newspaper published in Sydney by Alfred Aldworth.
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(Advertising) 'The New Australian Nib. Golden Wattle' Enamel on metal sign, 46 x 61 cm. circa 1912. 'Gives ease to the hand, character to the writing. MacNiven & Cameron Ltd., Edinburgh & Melbourne.', The agent for Golden Wattle was Robert Hutton of 321 Flinders Lane, Melb. From 1910 to 1918 newspaper advertisements for these pen nibs were marketed specifically towards women, emphasising their 'smoothness' in writing
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Advertising: Cooper's Powder Dip The Only Reliable Preventive Of Blow Fly c1920s. Sign, enamel on metal, 67 x 51 cm. 'By appointment to H.M. The King. Patent Enamel Co. Ltd. B'ham & London.', William Cooper (1813-1885) was a British veterinary surgeon, agriculturalist and industrialist who specialised in the manufacture of agricultural insecticides for livestock. He is credited with developing the first successful sheep dip, Cooper's Dip, in 1852. The company is still in operation and the product was…
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White Horse Whisky' tin and enamel advertising sign, late 19th century, 92 x 91 cm
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(Advertising) (Agency of the) The Victoria Insurance Co. Ltd. - Fire - Accident - Workers Compensation, circa 1930 Enamel on metal sign, 46 x 61 cm. Comment from The University of Melbourne Archives: 'The company, one of Victoria's oldest, was floated in 1848 and 1849 as the Victoria Fire and Marine Insurance Co. It changed its name in 1877.
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Atomic Bomb Game. Good For Nerves. c1945-50. Colour process screen card encased in painted metal and plastic with two plastic capsules each containing a metal ball, concealed magnets, with text including publisher details verso, 11.8 x 8.3 x 2.2 cm. Text includes 'The object of the game is to drop the bombs (red capsules) on the towns Nagasaki and Hiroshima (Japan) and make the bombs stand up straight, in the holes. The one bombing both towns first wins. Fred-Alan Novelties, Chicago, USA.'
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An Aboriginal Leangle club, South East Australian origin, 19th century, carved wood, 83 cm long
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An Aboriginal shield, late 19th century, South East Australian origin, 87 cm high
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An Aboriginal club, 19th century, South East Australian origin, 76 cm long
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An Aboriginal boomerang, 19th century, South East Australian origin, in relic condition, 65 cm long
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An Aboriginal shield, La Grange (Western Kimberley), 20th century, 83 cm high
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A fine and early boomerang, Darling River, South West Queensland, 19th century, carved hardwood, reverse decorated with fine incised linear motif, 111 cm long. Provenance: Private Collection, United Kingdom (acquired at auction 1960s), thence by descent
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An early boomerang club, South Western Queensland, 19th century, carved hardwood, 102 cm long. Provenance: Private Collection, United Kingdom (acquired at auction 1960s), t hence by descent
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An Aboriginal shield, Western Australian origin, early 20th century, incised linear fluting with orchre decoration, 64 cm high
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A ceremonial shield, central deserts origin, early 20th century, beanwood with remains of painted finish, 70 cm high
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An Aboriginal shield, Western Australian origin, 20th century, incised linear motif with ochre finish, 71 cm high
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An Aboriginal club, South Australian origin, late 19th early 20th century, 109 cm long
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Aboriginal Headress, Mornington Island, 20th century, hair, emu feather, twine and natural earth pigments, 57 cm high
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Aboriginal Artefacts: Two boomerangs, a club, pokerwork snake and a miniature didgeridoo, the 'longest 80 cm, '
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A group of six boomerangs, West Australian and central deserts origin, longest 80 cm
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A boomerang, Darling River, New South Wales, early 20th century, 81 cm long
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An Aboriginal club, coastal Queensland, late 19th century, 83 cm long
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Aboriginal artefacts including 2 boomerangs, digging stick, chisel and hafted axe, 'the larger boomerang 73.5 cm
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A rare double figural club, Ambrym Island, Vanuatu, 19th century, carved wood and remains of piped clay, 75 cm long, Note carved by the grandfather of Michel Makon. Provenance: Jennifer West Collection
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A carved club, Ambrym Island, Vanuatu,19th century, carved wood, 73 cm long, Note carved by the grandfather of Michel Makon. Provenance: Jennifer West Collection
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A double sided club, Vanuatu, 19th century, carved wood with remains of piped clay, 78 cm long, Note carved by the grandfather of Michel Makon. Provenance: Jennifer West Collection
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A transitional axe, Efate Island, Vanuatu, late 19th century, carved wood with English iron head, a fine example of an Efate Island knob, 88 cm high. Provenance: Jennifer West Collection
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Narlot pounder, Banks Islands, Vanuatu, late 19th century, carved wood, 66 cm long. Provenance: Jennifer West Collection
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A rare and fine Chiefs club, Vao Island, Vanuatu, late 19th century, carved wood, 90 cm high. Provenance: Jennifer West Collection
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A pudding knife, Banks Islands, 19th century, carved ebony, 67 cm high. Provenance: Jennifer West Collection
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A pig's tongue club, Atchin Islands, Vanuatu, late 19th century, carved wood, 116 cm long, 'Provenance: Jennifer West Collection
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A Ceremonial Paddle, Huon Gulf, Papua New Guinea, 20th century, carved wood with rare blue painted highlights, 202 cm long. Provenance: Jennifer West Collection
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A Maori club (Tewhatewha), New Zealand, 19th century, carved wood, 175 cm long
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A Maori war club (Taiaha), New Zealand, 19th century, carved wood with remains of paua shell inlay, 178.5 cm long
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A Melanesian war club, New Caledonia, 19th century, carved wood, 87 cm long
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Three fighting clubs, Malekula Island, Vanuatu, 20th century, carved wood and seagrass, the longest 80 cm
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An Oceanic tribal fishtail club, late 19th century, carved wood, 126 cm long
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A ceremonial adze, Melanesian, late 19th early 20th century, carved wood with remains of painted finish, 60 cm high
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An early food bowl, Pentecost Island, Vanuatu, 19th century, carved wood, 48 cm across
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Two Nul Nul fighting clubs, Vanuatu, 19th and 20th century, carved wood, 76 cm and 85 cm long
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A sword club, walkingstick and bowl, Trobriand Islands, 20th century, carved wood with remains of piped clay, the walkingstick 104 cm
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A Kava bowl, Fiji, circa 1900, carved wood, 22 cm high, 62.5 cm diameter. Provenance: The Neil Robertson Collection, Collected by Vereker and Nina Ferrier Hamilton who visited Tonga and Fiji in 1905. Thence by descent.
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A Kava bowl, Fiji, early 20th century, carved wood, 18 cm high, 38 cm diameter. Provenance: The Neil Robertson Collection, Collected by Vereker and Nina Ferrier Hamilton who visited Tonga and Fiji in 1905. Thence by descent.
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A food bowl in relic condition, Pentecost Island, Vanuatu, late 19th early 20th century, carved wood, 97 cm long
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Eric Joshua Fielden: Fijian artifacts, postcards and photographs, comprising 3 native spinning tops, leather riding crop, real photograph postcards and group photographs of The Lautoka Rifle Club Fiji and the Hockey team (16 items). Provenance: Fielden Collection, Melbourne. Collected by Eric Joshua Fielden, Fijian Rifles, 1913. Fielden later joined the A.I.F. (Artillery) and served on the Western Front in World War I
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Two Chieftains Tabua, Fiji, 19th century, whale tooth and fibre, 13 cm and 15 cm long. Provenance: Fielden Collection, Melbourne. Collected by Eric Joshua Fielden, Fijian Rifles, 1913. Fielden later joined the A.I.F. (Artillery) and served on the Western Front in World War I
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Two heavy rifle stock clubs, Fiji, late 19th early 20th century, carved wood and woven fibre, 92 cm and 87 cm long. Provenance: Fielden Collection, Melbourne. Collected by Eric Joshua Fielden, Fijian Rifles, 1913. Fielden later joined the A.I.F. (Artillery) and served on the Western Front in World War I
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Two rifle stock clubs, Fiji, late 19th early 20th century, carved wood and woven fibre with remains of blue and white paint, one engraved 'S:Shdpeu, 82 cm and 92 cm long. Provenance: Fielden Collection, Melbourne. Collected by Eric Joshua Fielden, Fijian Rifles, 1913. Fielden later joined the A.I.F. (Artillery) and served on the Western Front in World War I
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A Kava bowl, Fiji, late 19th early 20th century, carved wood, 14.5 cm high, 33.5 cm diameter. Provenance: Fielden Collection, Melbourne. Collected by Eric Joshua Fielden, Fijian Rifles, 1913. Fielden later joined the A.I.F. (Artillery) and served on the Western Front in World War I
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A spirit figure, Banks Island, Vanuatu, mid 20th century, carved and painted wood, 44 cm high
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A mask, Malekula Island, Vanuatu, early 20th century, carved and painted wood, 57 cm high
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A mask, Vanuatu, mid 20th century, carved and painted wood, 40 cm high
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A mask and a spirit figure, Vanuatu, mid 20th century, carved and painted wood and fibre, 32 cm and 64 cm high
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New Zealand greenstone pendant ornament, 20th century, housed in timber box, 7 x 5 cm
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A carved bowl, Huon Gulf, Papua New Guinea, 20th century, carved wood and pigment, 108 cm long
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A shield, Solomon Islands, early 20th century, carved wood and trade paint, 84 cm long
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Aboriginal artifacts including hooked boomerang, woomera, shield, digging stick and hunting boomerang, mid 20th century, the longest 85 cm
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Aboriginal artifacts including a shield (La Grange Bay), woomera, two boomerangs and two snake sticks, the shield 83 cm
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A Mendi shield, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea, early 20th century, carved wood with remains of old trade paint (faded), 123 cm high
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A dog tooth necklace, Papua New Guinea, early to mid 20th century, 41 cm long
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A Tasmanian mariner shell necklace, 164 cm long
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A Tasmanian mariner shell choker necklace, 42 cm long
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An Aboriginal dance board, Papunya (N.T.) central deserts, 20th century, carved softwood and painted finish, reverse decorated with painted carved snakes, 59 cm high
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An Aboriginal shield, Western Australian origin, early 20th century, incised wood with remains of ochre, ends docked, 129 cm high
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An Aboriginal shield, Western Australian origin, early 20th century, carved wood with ochre decoration, 78 cm high
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A boomerang, Kimberley region, Western Australia, 20th century, natural earth pigments on carved wood, 74 cm high
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Group of three Aboriginal clubs, early to mid 20th century, the tallest 68 cm
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Three Aboriginal boomerangs, South and Eastern Australian origin, two with carved motifs, the tallest 68 cm
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Three Aboriginal boomerangs, central deserts, 20th century, the tallest 89 cm
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An Aboriginal woomera, chisel and pay back spear, 20th century, the longest 111 cm
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Aboriginal artifacts including a fine stone cut sword club, 2 boomerangs, woomera, carved fish, carved snakes and a painted board, the club 60 cm long
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Group of 3 Aboriginal carved boab nuts, Western Australian origin, Tallest 30 cm
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An Aboriginal breast plate in brass, 20th century, engraved 'Major General Latouche, Tambo Barcoo, Queensland, 21 cm across
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