Unknown Artist
Mornington Island, Ceremonial Headdress
51 x 20 cm
paper bark, human hair, fibre, ochres & emu feathers
Code #:2339
SOLD
Provenance
Mornington Island Art Centre, QLD
Coo-ee Aboriginal Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW
Story
The area in which possum hats are produces comes from the collection of groups known as the Kulin (Koolin) nation of peoples.
The five Kulin nations are the Wathaurong, the Woiwurrung, the Taungurong, the Djadjawurung and the Boonwurrung peoples.
The Boonwurrung people are the traditional owners of the coast and land along the northern, eastern and southern shorelines of Port Phillip Bay Nairm, the Mornington Peninsula (the specific area in which Possum Hats are made), Western Port and its two main islands – Phillip Island and French Island, and land to the south-east down to Wilson’s Promontory.
Possum Hats are typically made out of the fur of the common ringtail possum; which remain abundant in the Mornington Peninsula Area. Although studies into the spiritual significance of the Possum Hats is relatively under developed, a common anthropological view is that the Hats were utilized as costume like headpieces during significant ceremonies’ and events.
MORE ARTWORKS BY Unknown Artist
Silk Batik (Detail)
Unknown Artist 19 Number of 'Avaialable Artworks' by this artist. Click button to view.
#16566 VIEW AT: Redfern NSW $1,200
View artwork
HOURS
Tuesday – Saturday
10am – 5pm