Tag Archives: tiwi
EXCEPTIONAL VINTAGE HAND CARVED TIWI ISL. S ABORIGINAL TOKAMPINI TOTEMIC SEABIRD S. The Tiwi Islands are situated 80 KMs north of Darwin in the Timor Sea. Omprising Bathurst and Melville Islands, with a population of around 2500, they. Can be reached by a 2 hour journey on a ferry. The Tiwi Islands are known as the islands of smiles. He Tiwi people have become internationally renowned for their individu. Al style of intricate designs. Many Tiwi artists have exhibited. 63 x 4.5 x 7 cms. This piece is presented in exceptionally good vintage condition. This stunning totem bird presents extremely well. This original magnificent vintage Australian Aboriginal hand carved and ochre painted Tokampini bird sculpture has been masterfully hand carved from one solid piece of Ironwood timber. When the mythical Tokampini creation period of Tiwi came to an end all the original creator men and women were called together. New laws were made which the mythical creator people had to obey. The periods of light and darkness were established determining the cycle of daily events. The creatorstransformed themselves into various creatures, plants, animals, natural forces, or heavenly bodies – and spread across the islands. They are the four Tiwitotems or skin groups. One of those transformations was into birds. The water birds were seen as the messengers and delivered knowledge from the spiritual world as well as being the tellers of deeds and tales. The decorative motifs that form the wings are called Rarrk or cross hatching. The skill of Rarrk, when done well, shows the cross hatching as well presented evenly thick and spaced lines starting and finishing within dedicated boundaries. This carving displays those perfectly performed Rarrk lines. The sculpture is finished in wonderfully earthy natural ochre colours, typical of Tiwi paintings, and are displayed by use of black (inner and outer wings, outline of the wings, base, eyes), white Rarrk on the inner wings, dots on the outline of the wings, yellow (Rarrk on the outer set of wings, the separator colour between the wings, ring on nose, and eyes) and red (Rarrk on inner and outer wings, lines on outline of wings, beak, base). The base and body have shades of grey (white and black). The colour mix and the perfect Rarrk application completes this stunning, freestanding, intricately carved sculpture perfectly. A straight neck with an almost regal head looking into the ether sets off the head area. The eyes of the bird show as alert in that upright held head. For the indigenous people of Australia, in the absence of a written language, ceremony song lines, dance and storytelling with the use of symbolism was the way of preserving their culture. The use of icons, symbols and designs conveyed the stories of old and teachings so important in their culture. This amazing piece would make a fine addition to any Australian Aboriginal Art, Ethnographic or Tribal Art collection! A stunning feature for any tribal inspired or eclectic styled home. The item “Amazing Tokampini Tiwi Island carving, 63 x 4.5 x 7 cm-ochred Iron wood Seabird” is in sale since Thursday, July 15, 2021. This item is in the category “Art\Aboriginal\Paintings”. The seller is “cutty56″ and is located in Leeming, WA. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Artist: Unknown
- Originality: Original
- Size: Medium (up to 36in.)
- Date of Creation: 2000-Now
- Region of Origin: Australia
- Aboriginal Art Region: Tiwi Islands
- Subject: Figures
- Colour: Multicoloured
- Listed By: Dealer or Reseller
- Type: collectible
- Year: 2010
- Medium: Ochre
- Width (Inches): 1.8
- Height (Inches): 25
- Style: Urban Aboriginal Art
- Culture: Aboriginal Australian
- Handmade: Yes