PAIR OF MACASSAN PRAU, 1970S

Important Aboriginal + Oceanic Art
Melbourne
24 March 2010
97

Trevor Nakanapa Maninyamajn

PAIR OF MACASSAN PRAU, 1970S

natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark

41.0 x 135.5 cm (irregular)

Estimate: 
$4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $4,320 (inc. BP) in Auction 13 - 24 March 2010, Melbourne
Provenance

Private collection, Melbourne

Catalogue text

The accompanying label states that: ‘These two praus followed a larger one to Groote. On reaching Groote they asked Aborigines to accompany them in looking for trepang. The canoes shown on the praus were given to the Aborigines later as presents. The Aborigines later copied the style of the canoe to make their own. The Maccassans also taught the Aborigines how to make sails for the canoes.’