- 75
BEN TIPUNGWUTI
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 AUD
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Description
- Ben Tipungwuti
- UNTITLED TIWI FIGURE c. 1960
- Natural earth pigments, hair, and resin on carved ironwood
- Height: 62.5 cm
Provenance
Executed at Nguiu, Bathurst Island
Acquired by the owner from the gallery of tribal art dealer, Stephen Kellner, Sydney in 1972
Private collection, Sydney
Acquired by the owner from the gallery of tribal art dealer, Stephen Kellner, Sydney in 1972
Private collection, Sydney
Condition
Only a fragment of the original carving remains attached at the leg, the rest having being burnt by a fire. The figure has many areas of pigment loss found throughout the entire surface. There is fine shallow longitudinal cracking to the face, chest and back of the figure and small boer holes over the entire figure (no longer active).
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Cf. Mountford C.P., The Tiwi, Their Art, Myth and Ceremony, Phoenix House, London, 1958, pl. 40 and 41, for illustrations of six related figurative carvings dating from the 1950s.
This carving is sold with a copy of an accompanying letter written by Brother John Pye, the Head of St Therese's Mission on Nguiu, Bathurst Island, written in 1977 whereby he identified the carving as 'definitely' by Ben Tipungwuti, from an earlier period in time. In the letter he recounts how the first figuritive carvings were created on Bathurst Island in 1952, and that the decoration is representative of body markings reflecting the artist's tribal skin group. Another example of the artist's work is held at the National Museum of Australia.
This carving is sold with a copy of an accompanying letter written by Brother John Pye, the Head of St Therese's Mission on Nguiu, Bathurst Island, written in 1977 whereby he identified the carving as 'definitely' by Ben Tipungwuti, from an earlier period in time. In the letter he recounts how the first figuritive carvings were created on Bathurst Island in 1952, and that the decoration is representative of body markings reflecting the artist's tribal skin group. Another example of the artist's work is held at the National Museum of Australia.