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The Collection of the Late Ian Dunlop, Canberra
Lot 204

Yirawala
(circa 1897-1976)
Crocodile (Golomomo) and Fish, 1965

3 December 2025, 14:00 AEDT
Sydney

AU$6,000 - AU$10,000

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Yirawala (circa 1897-1976)

Crocodile (Golomomo) and Fish, 1965
natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark
91.0 x 35.0cm (35 13/16 x 13 3/4in).

Footnotes

PROVENANCE
Sandra Holmes, Sydney
The Collection of the Late Ian Dunlop, Canberra, acquired from the above in 1971

Accompanied by signed documentation dated 1976 which reads:

'This is to certify that this large bark painting of a crocodile is a genuine Yirawala and from the sacred Maraian ceremony.

The painting was made in 1965 in East Arnhem Land.

The name of the crocodile is Golomomo and he (or the totemic spirit) keeps the 'eggs' (increase stones) which are brought out only for the secret section of Maraian in the 'shade'. The stones are painted and sung by Yirawala to bring forth the spiritual power of the totemic ancestor that sanctions the ritual.

The crocodile is in the sacred well rising up for his food - barramundi.

From the LeBrun Holms Collection, Darwin. This painting is now owned by Mr Ian Dunlop, Sydney.'

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