Charles P. Mountford books and photographs of Aboriginal art and ritual

Charles Mountford was born at Hallet, South Australia in 1890. He left school at the age of 11 and worked in a variety of jobs before seeking education to further his knowledge of Aboriginal Australia. He studied Aboriginal folklore and history at the University of Adelaide and later at Cambridge University. Between 1937 and 1960 he led 12 scientific expeditions to CentraI Australia, Arnhhem Land and Melville Island chronicling his travels in more than 20 books, numerous articles supported by photographs and films of Aboriginal art and ritual. Over the course of his career he was Honorary Ethnologist to the more... South Australian Museum, Honorary Adviser on Aboriginal art to the South Australian Art Gallery and a foundation member of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies in Canberra. In 1973, the Council of the University of Melbourne awarded him an honorary doctorate for his lifetime of contribution to the study of Aboriginal art and mythology. Charles Mountford died in Adelaide on16 December 1976. less...

Aboriginal art and artefact collecting goes back to early first contact times. In fact local Aboriginals around Sydney use to trade artefacts with visiting ships from the earliest days.

Curio collecting has always been part of early exploration of the new world. Ceremonial adornment items that were made of perishable material were not preserved for future use and so early examples are very collectable. Early shields, clubs and boomerangs that were cherished as favourites and had developed a deep colour and patina are preferred.

Historical items that were collected by early notable pioneers, explorers or anthropologists are of high interest more... to collectors. Some areas are collected because the artistic expression makes them more appealing when displayed.

Production of artefacts has never ceased and are still made today for sale.

Some examples of collectable Aboriginal artefacts are:

• Boomerangs: A type of curved wooden tool used for hunting and warfare, as well as a recreational tool.
• Didgeridoos: A long wooden instrument used for music and ceremonies.
• Woomeras: A type of spear-throwing device that was used in hunting.
• Coolamons: A shallow wooden dish used for carrying food and water.
• Message sticks: A carved stick used as a communication tool between different Indigenous groups.
• Possum skin cloaks: A type of cloak made from possum fur that was worn for warmth and ceremonial purposes.
• Bark paintings: A type of art made from bark that is painted with traditional designs and stories. Bark painting production started in mass in the 1950's and were sold via missionary shops. The earlier barks are more sought after. Now with many of the early artists and their roll in the maintenance of culture recognized, these barks are seen as important expressions of a past lifestyle. refer to objects and artifacts that are created by Indigenous Australians, and are significant in their culture and history.
• Stone tools: A variety of stone tools were used by Indigenous Australians for various tasks such as hunting and preparing food.