Provenance
Private Collection, Adelaide
Description
The Tiwi people have a rich cultural heritage that includes a variety of ceremonial practices and objects.
One of the most important cultural objects is the ceremonial spear, which renowned anthropologist Herbert Basedow noted marked the Tiwi people as an entirely separate cultural group from mainland Aboriginies in 1911(*).
Spears can be categorised by their barbs, with Tunkalinta (the male spear) featuring barbs exclusively on one side and the Arwainkiri (the female spear), displaying barbs on both sides. Ceremonial spears were most commonly used in the Pukamani/mourning ceremony.
The current works feature intricate designs painted with ochre, reflecting their creator (or creators) were skilled artist(s) in their own right. The shafts on both spears evidence longitudinal grooving and the coarse carving between barbs indicate both spears were possibly, if not likely, fashioned from hardwood using sharp shells consistent with traditional crafting methods.
These ceremonial spears were originally collected by a South Australian who was working on Tiwi Islands communication infrastructure in the 1950s, prior to increased collector demand and the development of tourist trade in Tiwi arts experienced in the 1960s and 1970s.
It is rare to discover such important and intricate ceremonial spears of this age and in this condition. They are works of spectacular craftsmanship and sculptures in their own right.
*J, Isaacs, Tiwi, Art/History/Culture, The Miegunyah Press (p.63)
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