PAIR OF MACASSAN PRAU, 1970S
97
Trevor Nakanapa Maninyamajn
PAIR OF MACASSAN PRAU, 1970S
natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark
41.0 x 135.5 cm (irregular)
Estimate:
$4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $4,320 (inc. BP) in Auction 13 - 24 March 2010, Melbourne
Provenance
Private collection, Melbourne
Catalogue text
The accompanying label states that: ‘These two praus followed a larger one to Groote. On reaching Groote they asked Aborigines to accompany them in looking for trepang. The canoes shown on the praus were given to the Aborigines later as presents. The Aborigines later copied the style of the canoe to make their own. The Maccassans also taught the Aborigines how to make sails for the canoes.’