AN ENGRAVED PEARL SHELL
86
Butcher Joe Nangan
(c.1910 - 1989)
AN ENGRAVED PEARL SHELL
in-filled with natural earth pigments
19.5 x 23.0 cm (irregular)
Estimate:
$2,000 - 3,000
Sold for $1,800 (inc. BP) in Auction 11 - 14 October 2009, Melbourne
Provenance
Private collection, Melbourne
Catalogue text
Butcher Joe Nangan was probably the best known of all pearl shell engravers. Even though his figures are depicted in a naturalistic manner, all images refer to either the cosmology or the history of the south west Kimberley.
This shell depicts two opposite environments, terrestrial and aquatic; Kanaganyja (the emu), Langkur (the possum) and an armed warrior are balanced against Wayulu (the whitefish), Walak (the frog) and a Nadya Nadya (the mermaid). Linking these two worlds are Inguruku (the Rainbow Serpent) and Mawili (the old freshwater crocodile).