Fine collection of Aboriginal and Oceanic works to be auctioned in Melbourne

Deutscher and Hackett is delighted to announce its second dedicated Important Aboriginal and Oceanic Art auction. To be held in Melbourne on October 14, the auction will feature a broad range of works including significant paintings on canvas and barks as well as sculpture and artefacts. The 277 lots have an estimated range of $2.0 – 2.7 million and the auction has been carefully selected and realistically priced to the market.

Highlights include two paintings from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, Rover Thomas’s Yillimbiddi Country 1988 ($350,000 – 450,000) is a major work by the artist with an imposing exhibition history. It was included in the 1990 Adelaide Biennale of Australian Art, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales exhibitions Another Country  and True Stories: Art of the East Kimberley; Paddy Bedford’s Mendoowoorrji – Medicine Pocket  2001 ($120,000 – 150,000), an large major work by the artist and highly desirable.

An extremely rare c1970 Charlie Numbulmoore A Pair of Wanjina ($40,000 – 60,000), is also on offer. One of the few Kimberley painters of Wanjina figures whose works are readily identifiable, Numbulmoore was a senior custodian charged with the ‘refreshing’ of Wanjina cave paintings.  Of the same era are two early boards from Papunya. Johnny Warangkula Tjupurrula’s Water Dreaming at Kalipinya 1972 ($35,000 – 45,000) and Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri’s Untitled (Dingo Ceremony) 1971-72 ($25,000 – 35,000) are both excellent examples of the early Papunya movement.

Also of note is a beautiful single owner collection of works from Balgo Hills. Compiled under the guidance of James Cowan, the collection showcases works from 1995 – 1997, a period that is now considered to be the halcyon days of the region.  With strong geometric forms and a bold palette, the works are fresh to the market and exceptionally well priced.

Complementing the auction is a particularly strong offering of barks by renown painters from Arnhem Land. Mawalan Marika’s  Djan’kawu at Yalangbara c1961 ($30,000 – 40,000) and Mungurrawuy Yunipingu’s Ceremony at Gulkula c1973 ($7,000 – 10,000) are balanced by an outstanding contemporary bark by the late Jimmy Njiminjuma, Wak Wak 2002 ($12,000 – 18,000). 

Also included in the auction are sculptures, weavings and selected artefacts including a parrying shield from the collection of the Marquess of Ailsa in Scotland, together with boomerangs and shields from Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland. We are also pleased to offer a group of Oceanic artefacts from Melanesia and Polynesian including a pearl shell inlaid canoe prau and a fine large Sepik River carved ancestral pole.

view fully illustrated catalogue (click here)

For further information and images, please contact:
Merryn Schriever
Art Specialist
on ms@deutscherandhackett.com or  0411 088 621