Lot 23
  • 23

Daingangan 1892 - deceased

Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
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Description

  • Daingangan
  • Dancers at a Circumcision Ceremony
  • Bears artist's name, tribe, title, and a description of the story, together with a certificate of authenticity on label on reverse.
  • Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark
  • 74cm by 51cm

Provenance

Painted in Central Arnhem Land circa 1963

Collected by Dorothy Bennett, most likely between 1962 and 1964

Tom and Adi Barnett, Vermont, USA

The Barnett Collection at Columbia University

Sotheby’s, Important Aboriginal Art, Melbourne, 30 June, 1997, lot 94A (AU612)

Fiona Brockhoff, Melbourne

Condition

Housed in a wooden frame mounted on a dark cloth linen background behind glass. No repairs or restorations. Fine hairline cracking in some areas of the surface, visible in image. Lots of tiny areas of paint loss and smudging predominately in the white pigment. Pigments appear stable overall.
"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

The documentation on reverse reads: “In this ceremony the men paint their bodies and that of the young boys to be initiated with the design seen here. Woomeras and other weapons are decorated with other corresponding motif.

The dancing lasts for many days, night and morning, before the actual operation, which is still performed in many parts of Arnhem Land by the old men of the tribe.”