A strange paddle-like object found in a Derby wardrobe has turned out to be a tribal tool used by Australian Aborigines to hunt kangaroos more than 100 years ago.
The unusual find has been identified as a 19th century spear-thrower, known as a woomera. But it wasn’t the only quirky artefact from the other side of the world tucked inside the wardrobe. It also contained an Aboriginal wunda shield and boomerang!
The discoveries surprised antiques valuer Steve Fulford during a routine home visit. He said: “They’re great objects. It’s amazing to think they’ve ended up in a Derby wardrobe from the other side of the world. It’s likely they were brought over to England by ancestors decades ago.
“At first glance I thought the spear-thrower was some sort of paddle. It’s actually a 19th century Aboriginal woomera, probably from Western Australia. It has fine carvings. A lump at its base, which is a type of black gum, would originally have had a knife embedded in it. A spear would have been attached to the hooked end of the woomera, which is still in part obvious though sadly broken.
“Woomeras were used to hunt kangaroos. They served as an extension of the human arm, enabling a spear to travel with greater speed and force.The tool has been used for thousands of years. When the 43,000-year-old remains of Aboriginal Mungo Man were discovered in 1974 experts found signs of severe osteoarthritis in the right elbow. This is associated with woomera use. Remarkably, woomeras are still used today in some remote areas of Australia.
“It’s a multi-purpose object. Aborigines travelled light so it also served as a cutting device and tray. Because they’re shaped like long narrow bowls, they’re ideal to carry vegetable matter or small food items like lizards or seeds.
“The one we have uncovered is 30 inches in length. It has traditionally incised decorations which indicates it belonged to a particular Aboriginal tribe.
“We also have high hopes for the Aboriginal wunda shield, a tribal object also used in Western Australia. They offered protection against weapons such as spears and boomerangs. They’re traditionally adorned with a bold zigzag pattern accentuated with red and white ochre, which is an interpretation of ripples on sand or water. They were sometimes used in ancient rituals. Ancestral beings were said to have been armed with shields.
“Then of course we have the boomerang, arguably the most famous Aboriginal tool used for hunting and digging. People are fascinated by the fact that some boomerangs are designed to return to the thrower.
“Tribal objects are in huge demand globally so these items could surprise us under the hammer. Together they could achieve well over £1,000. The spear-thrower has been guided at £600-£900, the wunda shield at £300-£400 and the boomerang at £50-£70.”
Auction: The tribal items will be offered in Hansons Auctioneers’ March 21 Fine Art Auction. Entries of antiques, collectables, naval militaria, jewellery, silver and watches are invited until February 29.
Free valuations and home visits
Home visits/valuations: Hansons offers free home visits to assess contents ranging from general furnishings, to silver, jewellery, watches, clocks, books and more. Items can also be assed by appointment at Hansons’ saleroom. To learn more, email [email protected] or call 01283 733988.
