- 29
Benedict Palmeiua Munkara circa 1925-1978
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
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Description
- Benedict Palmeiua Munkara
- Untitled, Male and Female figures of Purukapali and Bima
- Carved wood, ochre decoration, softwood
- 36cm and 44cm high
Provenance
Executed on Bathurst Island in the 1960s
Lord McAlpine of West Green
Mary Macha, Perth
Fiona Brockhoff, Melbourne, acquired directly from the above in December 1998
Exhibited
Open Air: Portraits in the Landscape, National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, 3 December 2009 - 1 March
Literature
Andrew Sayers, Open Air: Portraits in the Landscape, National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, 2008, illus. p.27
Jennifer Isaacs, Tiwi Art/History/Culture, The Miegunyah Press, Melbourne, 2012, illus. p.168
Cf. Ronald M. Berndt and E.S. Phillips, The Australian Aboriginal Heritage: An Introduction Through the Arts, Ure Smith Sydney, 1973, fig. 172 and 173b, for two stylistically similar figurative sculptures by Benedict Munkara collected by Berndt in 1969. These figures are by the same hand as those illustrated in The Australian Aboriginal Heritage, although they are considerably more refined. Mary Macha acquired them from Lord MacAlpine when he dispersed his collection in the early 1990s.
Condition
Mounted on custom bronze stands. Some fine, shallow hairline cracks in wood and minor areas of pigment loss throughout. Overall very good condition, no apparent repairs or restoration.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."