Spearthrower "woomera" ·  Australia · ID: 3039349

Description

wood, brown patina, red pigment, resin, stone fluted pattern in zigzag-lines to the front, geometrical signs on the back, wooden thorn fixed by cord and resin, pommel from spinifex gum, slightly dam., scratches;
the “woomera” was used as a lever to project spears with great force. It increased the range and speed of the spear. Additionally the spear-thrower served as a multifunctional tool doubling as a serving plate for food, a palette for preparing and mixing paint, as well as part of a fire-making unit.

The object Spearthrower “woomera” with the object ID 3039349 was last part of the auction 81st Tribal Art Auction at October 31, 2015 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 120.

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Comparing literature

Carrick, John (ed.), Art of the first Australians, Camperdown o.J., p. 14 Galerie Meyer (ed.), Walkabout, The early art of the Australian Aborigines, Paris 2012, p. 32