Lot 4
  • 4

A SHIELD

Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 AUD
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Description

  • carved and engraved hardwood, natural earth pigments
  • LENGTH: 75.5CM

Provenance

Gifted to Francis Tully and Anne Leahy at their wedding in 1911 by the local Aborigines residing on Ray Station, Quilpie
Ray Station was owned by the parents of Francis - Patrick "Patsy" Tully and Sarah Durack. Francis and Anne Tully built "Terachy" station on Nickavilla holding at Quilpie which is on the Bulloo river, 1915. The shield was housed there for some time
Thence by decent through the Tully family
Private collection

Condition

The shield has a hole in the reverse at one end for attachment and has a number of minor scuffs on the reverse and some battle scarring to the front. The pigments appear faded, worn and stable. There are no repairs or restoration apparent.
"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

This shield has an excellent provenance, having been presented by local Aboriginal people to Francis Tully and Anne Leahy at their wedding as a mark of their respect for the couple. The Aboriginal language groups inhabiting the area at the time, according to the anthropologist Norman Tindale, were the Wadjalang, the Ngandangura, the Punthamara and the Maranganji. Francis Tully was the son of Patrick Tully and Sarah Durack who built a homestead on Ray Station in 1874. The rest of the Durack family left their historic homestead Thylungra and drove their herds to the Ord River in the eastern Kimberley after a severe drought in 1884.