Preliminary Consideration of Aboriginal Australian Decorative Art: Memoirs, American Philosophical Society (Vol. IX)

This is a print on demand Publication. The aborigines of Australia who lead a most primitive hunting and wild food collecting existence with a minimum of physical equipment nevertheless devote considerable attention to the decoration of their possessions, utilitarian as well as sacred. Much of Australian art apparently is primarily aesthetic but other appearances are of profound religious significance. This study is based on materials in museum collections in Australia, the Museum of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, field studies in North Australia, and published sources. Contents: Introduction; Decorative Art of the Australians; Techniques of Decoration; Objects Decorated; Weapons; Baskets and Containers; Various Objects of Regional or Local Significance; Bullroarers, Churinga and Other Sacred Objects; Symbolism; Distribution of Design Elements; Design Areas; Conclusions; Biblliography. Illus.