MOKOY FIGURE MURRIANA FROM THE GUPAPUYNGA MORTUARY RITES, 1968

Important Aboriginal + Oceanic Art
Melbourne
24 March 2010
151

Lipundja Gupapuyngu

(c.1912 - 1968)
MOKOY FIGURE MURRIANA FROM THE GUPAPUYNGA MORTUARY RITES, 1968

natural earth pigments on carved and shaped wood

21.5 cm height

Estimate: 
$1,400 - 1,600
Sold for $1,680 (inc. BP) in Auction 13 - 24 March 2010, Melbourne
Provenance

Private collection, Melbourne

The diamond pattern represented on this object is also painted on the deceased before burial. It signifies the hive of the wild honey bee in crossways (oblique) sections, the diamond pattern represents the cells of the honeycomb, whilst the various coloured dots symbolise wax, eggs and honey within the cells.