An early and scarce spear-thrower 'Woomera' from New South Wales, Australia. The variation in the form of the spear thrower amongst the Australian aboriginals was distinctive throughout many tribes, this particular long elongated form was used only in a small area of New South Wales. A good early patina along with the remains of an affixed label suggest an 18th century or very early 19th century date. On the reverse side of the broad grip is written in black ink, 'A Wampoo' , presumably an early or local term for this woomera. The end bound with cord under the remains of black gum, a peg of wood or a tooth in situ. The lower picture illustrates an 18th century European watercolour of a New South Wales native holding a similar long tapering spear-thrower. 37 inches long. Collected in Germany. New South Wales 18th/early19th century. $795 |
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