This auction has ended. View lot details

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

6 — Thomas Nandjiwarra Amagula (circa 1926-1989) How the Stars Were Made (Rolla-Mano), c.1960

AU$8,000 - AU$12,000

7 — Jimmy Midjawmidjaw (circa 1897-1985) Dancers, c.1960

AU$4,000 - AU$6,000

8 — Artist Unknown (Port Keats) Untitled, c.1960

AU$2,000 - AU$3,000

9 — Mawalan Marika (circa 1908-1967) Untitled, 1960

AU$2,000 - AU$3,000

10 — Yirawala (circa 1897-1976) Kangaroo, c.1962

AU$10,000 - AU$15,000

11 — Yirawala (circa 1897-1976) Grey Rock Wallaby - Mardayin Ceremony, c.1960

AU$15,000 - AU$20,000

12 — Narritjin Maymuru (circa 1914-1982) Untitled, c.1953

AU$2,000 - AU$3,000

13 — Mawalan Marika (circa 1908-1967) Nativity Scene, c.1964

AU$18,000 - AU$25,000

14 — (Paddy) Captain Jambuwal (circa 1927-unknown) Mimih Spirit and Mythical Serpent, 1965

AU$2,000 - AU$3,000

15 — Bobby Barrdjaray Nganjmirra (1915-1992) Dugong, 1965

AU$3,000 - AU$5,000

16 — Yirawala (circa 1897-1976) Untitled (Female Figure), c.1965

AU$12,000 - AU$18,000

17 — Bobby Barrdjaray Nganjmirra (1915-1992) Jirrlgum Rock, 1965

AU$2,000 - AU$3,000

18 — Neewili (1910-1993) Untitled, 1968 73.0 x 27.0cm (28 3/4 x 10 5/8in). 76.0 x 24.0cm (29 15/16 x 9 7/16in).

AU$2,000 - AU$3,000

19 — Lofty Bardayal Nadjamerrek (1926-2009) Totemic Barramundi (Ngananarnkal), c.1970

AU$4,000 - AU$6,000

20 — Peter Maralwanga (1917-1987) (Kangaroo), c.1970

AU$4,000 - AU$6,000

21 — Waigan Djanghara (circa 1929-1996) Wandjina Spirits (Sea Turtle and Emus)

AU$4,000 - AU$6,000

22 — Peter Maralwanga (1917-1987) Young Woman Dreaming

AU$1,500 - AU$2,500

23 — Tim Leura Tjapaltjarri (circa 1929-1984) Camp Scene Near Napperby, 1973

AU$7,000 - AU$9,000

24 — Walila Marawili Baraltja height: 194.5cm (76 9/16in).

AU$1,200 - AU$1,400

Previous Lot

Next Lot

Lot 28

Kathleen Petyarre
(circa 1940-2018)
Thorny Devil Lizard Dreaming (My Country), 1997

Important Australian Art

11 – 12 May 2022, 19:30 AEST

Sydney

Sold for AU$18,450 inc. premium

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Australian Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Ask about this lot

Australian Art

Tel: +61 2 8412 2222

australianart@bonhams.com

Kathleen Petyarre (circa 1940-2018)

Thorny Devil Lizard Dreaming (My Country), 1997
inscribed verso: 'KATHLEEN PETYARRE / GAKP0697083'
synthetic polymer paint on linen
182.0 x 183.0cm (71 5/8 x 72 1/16in).

Footnotes

PROVENANCE
Gallerie Australis, Adelaide (cat. GAKP0697083)
The Stefano Spaccapietra Collection, Switzerland, acquired from the above in 1997

Much of Petyarre's oeuvre centres around the travels of her Ancestor, Arnkerrth - the Old Woman Mountain Devil - around her birthplace, Atnangker.1 The Mountain or Thorny devil is a spiny lizard that is well adapted to survive the arid and sparsely vegetated environment of Kathleen's Country with its distinctive red sandy earth. It is a country of extremes with a searingly hot and dry summer season punctuated by fierce sandstorms, followed by the intense rains and hailstorms of its wet season. Its vast geography is interspersed with hilly regions as well as important water sources such as sacred rockhole sites and creeks.

Petyarre transposes her country in its various seasons with expansive fields of fine dots across the canvas. To these she overlays undulating variations and the subtly executed tracks of various animals and Dreaming Ancestors, the sites of various food sources as well as important initiation and ceremony sites. All of these features are inextricably intertwined and span both the physical as well as the spiritual realm.

1. Christine Nicholls and Ian North, Kathleen Petyarre: Genius of Place, Wakefield Press, Adelaide, 2001, p. 9

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import Licence or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such Licence or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancellation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
For all Sales categories excluding Motor Cars and Motorcycles:
Buyer's Premium Rates
23% on the Hammer Price
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
GST at the current rate of 10% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges.
Shipping Notices
For shipping enquiries please contact info.au@bonhams.com or +61 (0) 2 8412 2222
- Aboriginal Art
- Australian Art