Explore Indigenous Australian Objects

Discover unique objects from around Australia. Toys, tools, decorative and ceremonial artefacts from the Australian Museum's Indigenous collection up close and in detail.

Tools

Cutting, grinding and digging tools

Indigenous grinding stone from New South Wales
Indigenous Leilira blades from Arnhem Land
Indigenous shovel, pre-1885

Containers

Carriers for transporting food and tools

Dilly bag from south-western Queensland, c1905
Indigenous wooden container from New South Wales
Wallaby-skin water carrier, pre-1885

Body adornments

Items worn for decoration

Indigenous shell forehead band from northern Queensland
Breastplate belonging to Cora Gooseberry

Hunting gear

Implements used for catching land animals

Indigenous wallaby trap from northern Queensland
Indigenous hafted axe from Sydney
Wooden shield from Cape York, c1893

Art

Engravings, paintings and carvings

Bark painting from Arnhem Land, 1930s
Carved emu egg by Badger Bates, 1990
Indigenous rock engraving of an echidna

Ceremonial

Objects used for ceremonies

Pukumani poles from the Tiwi Islands
Crocodile mask from the Torres Strait Islands
Dance boards by Emma Nungarrayi, 1970s and 80s
Widow's cap from New South Wales

Fishing gear

Implements used for catching fish

Indigenous bark canoe from New South Wales
Prongs of an Indigenous fishing spear, pre-1884
Sequence of Indigenous shellfish hooks from Sydney

Toys

Objects used for training and fun

Indigenous spinning top from Cape York, pre-1900
Indigenous pandanus toy propellers from Arnhem Land, 1948
Indigenous cross boomerang from the Cairns area,1900

Explore Indigenous Australian Objects

Tools

Containers

Body adornments

Hunting gear

Art

Ceremonial

Fishing gear

Toys

Galleries

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