Central desert painted shield
An Aboriginal shield painted with totemic symbols from the central desert
Object type: Aboriginal Shield
Locality: Central or Western Desert Australia
Artist: Unknown
Circa: 1980
Width: 73 cm
Description: A classic example of a late 1970s Aboriginal painted shield from the Central Desert, this work embodies the refined minimalism and deep symbolism characteristic of the period. The restrained palette of white and black pigments set against a rich red ochre ground conveys a timeless sense of balance and rhythm. The top and bottom motif—likely depicting a seated figure beside a ceremonial fire and the larger concentric circles depicting a waterhole which—is an enduring icon within Central Desert visual language, representing both physical sustenance and the spiritual connection between people and place. Though likely created for the emerging art market of the late 20th century, this shield retains the integrity of traditional design and ceremonial meaning, bridging ancestral knowledge with the evolving aesthetic of contemporary Aboriginal art.
Price: 900 AUD
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