DRAFT
Lofty Nadjamerrek Artworks
Understanding Artwork Sale Prices: What Sellers Really Receive at Auction
When researching Aboriginal art auction results, it’s important to understand that the publicly listed sale prices do not reflect the actual amount the seller receives after fees are deducted.
For example, an artwork might be listed as having sold for $5,000, but this is typically the total price paid by the buyer, which includes a buyer’s premium (usually around 30% paid to the auction house). In this case, the hammer price—the amount the auctioneer declared as the winning bid—was likely around $3,500.
From that $3,500 hammer price, the auction house then deducts a seller’s commission, commonly around 20%, which means the seller—the consignee—would receive $2,800.
Why This Matters for Sellers
As a seller when evaluating the value of an artwork, it’s critical to focus on what you are likely to recieve, the net proceeds. The actual net amount received by the seller is a more accurate reflection of what you might realistically recieve for similar artworks on the open market.
This article provides two values, the hammer price and Net to seller (Hammer price less seller commission of 20%) rather than inflated auction totals. This gives collectors, and sellers a clearer and more realistic guide for valuing what an artworks is worth when sold directly between two parties
Lightning Spirit (Namarrkon)
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, bears artist’s name on the reverse,
108 x 53 cm
Hammer price: A$39,000
Net to seller: $31,200
Mimih Spirits Dancing 1981
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, bears artist’s name, language group, clan, title, catalogue number K645/CR and date on Maningrida Arts & Crafts label on the reverse,
86 x 53 cm
Hammer price: A$30,000
Net to seller: A$24,000
Kolobarr, the Plains Kangaroo
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, bears artist’s name, language group, area and unrelated story on label on the reverse,
97.5 x 64.5 cm
Hammer price: A$23,000
Net to seller: A$18,400
Ngalyod the Rainbow Serpent
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, bears artist’s name, language group, area and a description of Ngalyod on label on the reverse,
129 x 49 cm
Hammer price: A$23,000
Net to seller: A$18,400
Mardayin Ceremony, C.1978
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, numbered and inscribed verso: ‘643 ~849 /T Lofty Nadjamerrek’,
114 x 42.5 cm
Hammer price: A$13,000
Net to seller: A$10,400
Rainbow Serpent Beneath Waterlilies, C.1985
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark,
42 x 115.5 cm
Hammer price: A$12,000
Net to seller: A$9,600
Nawaram – Rock Python Eating Dreamtime Woman -ngalyangdon
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark,
79.2 x 45.3 cm
Hammer price: A$12,000
Net to seller: $9,600
Yingarna (Rainbow Serpent), C.1978
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, numbered and inscribed verso: ‘649 / Lofty Nadjamerrek’,
34.5 x 114 cm
Hammer price: A$10,000
Net to seller:A$8,000
Nakurrundihba 1, 2004
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark,
149 x 53.5 cm
Hammer price: A$9,500
Net to seller:A$7,600
Male and Female Mimihs
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark,
35.5 x 41.5 cm
Hammer price: A$9,500
Net to seller:A$7,600
Rock Kangaroo in a Cave
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, bears artist’s name, area and subject matter on the reverse.
Awoydo and Kalk in Kuku, c. 1978
63.5 x 38 cm
Hammer price: A$9,000
Net to seller: A$7,200
Male Mimih Propositioning a Female Mimih, circa 1975
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, bears artist’s name, moiety, language, area and subject on label on the reverse of frame,
55 x 34 cm
Hammer price: A$10,500
Net to seller: A$8400
Barramundi, c.1960
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, bears inscription verso: artist’s name and location, descriptive label attached verso
32 x 101 cm
Hammer price: A$8500
Net to seller: A$6,800
Rainbow Serpent, c. 1979
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, label attached verso with title, date, language group, area and a description of the subject matter depicted.
97.5 x 53 cm
Hammer price: A$8,000
Net to seller: A$6400
Untitled (Crocodile) (circa 1970)
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark.
106 x 43 cm
Hammer price: A$7,500
Net to seller: A$6,000
Untitled (Kangaroo and Mimi) (1987)
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark,
122.5 x 54 cm
Hammer price: A$7,500
Net to seller: A$6,000
Namarrkon – The Lightning Man c. 1985
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark.
128.5 x 57 cm
Hammer price: A$7,500
Net to seller: A$6000
Crocodile
ngalyod II, 2005
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, inscribed verso: artist’s name and Marrawuddi Gallery cat. 16495.
52 x 114 cm
Hammer price: A$7,000
Net to seller: A$5,600
Barramundi
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, bears artist’s name and title on the reverse and artist’s name, language group, area, on the reverse,
87 x 37.5 cm
Hammer price: A$6,500
Net to seller: A$5,200
Barramundi and Crocodile
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, inscribed verso: artist’s name and cat. M34/UAR,
120 x 53.5 cm
Hammer price: A$6,500
Net to seller: A$5,200
The Big Plains Kangaroo, Kolobbarr and Two Mimi Hunters, with an Ibis (Circa 1970s)
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, 138 x 74 cm
Hammer price: A$6,000
Net to seller: A$4,800
Narrbek the Echidna (1991)
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark,
37 x 85 cm
Hammer price: A$6,000
Net to seller: A$4,800
Male and Female Mimihs
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark,
46.5 x 37.5 cm
Hammer price: A$6,000
Net to seller: A$4,800
Barramundi 1973
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, 39.9 x 104 cm
Hammer price: A$5750
Net to seller: A$4600
Dancing Mimih spirits, 1982
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark,
49 x 60 cm
Hammer Price: A$5,500
Net to seller: A$4,400
Bush Turkey
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark,
42 x 33.2 cm
Hammer price: A$5,500
Net to seller: A$4,400
Kangaroo
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark,
48.5 x 43.3 cm
Hammer price: A$5,500
Net to seller: A$4,400
The Artist’s Country, Liverpool River (Circa 1975)
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark.
101 x 34.5 cm
Hammer price: A$5,000
Net to seller: A$4,000
Kangaroo, 1971
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark.
160 x 96.5 cm
Hammer price: A$5250
Net to seller: A$4200
Barr’men the Saratoga
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark.
30 x 82 cm
Hammer price: A$4,500
Net to seller: A$3600
Two Kangaroos
Earth pigments on bark, inscribed verso, ‘Artist, – Lofty Nabardayal/Area, – Liverpool River Escarpment/ Two Rock Wallabies – Wolerrk’
38 x 67.5 cm
Hammer price: A$4,500
Net to seller: A$3600
Kangaroo
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark.
50 x 88.5 cm
Hammer price: A$4000
Net to seller: A$3200
Barramundi and Mimih c. 1973
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, bears the code M192 on the reverse
82.5 x 46 cm
Hammer price: A$4,000
Net to seller: A$3200
Ngarrbek (Echidnas)
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, inscribed verso: ‘Lofty Nadjamerrek / Clan: Mok / 146 – 8 / Injalak Arts’,
60 x 95 cm
Hammer price: A$3,800
Net to seller: A$3040
Ngalyod – The Rainbow Serpent c. 1988
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, bears signed artist’s name and place of execution (Oenpelli) on the reverse,
140 x 34 cm
Hammer price: A$3800
Net to seller: A$3,040
Ngalyod – The Rainbow Serpent and Catfish c. 1988
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, bears signed artist’s name and place of execution (Oenpelli),
160 x 36 cm
Hammer price: A$3,800
Net to seller: A$3,040
Johnson River Crocodile (Kolomomo) c. 1975
Natural earth pigments on eucalypyus bark, bears artist’s name, title and catalogue number on Oenpelli Art label on the reverse,
64 x 45.5 cm
Hammer price: A$3,800
Net to seller: A$3,040
(Mimihs), C.1970
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark
67 x 23 cm
Hammer price: A$3,000
Net to seller: A$2,400
Long Necked Turtle
Natural earth pigments on bark, original label verso, cat #OE-03
90 x 44 cm
Hammer price: A$3,000
Net to seller: A$2,400
Echidna
Natural earth pigments on bark, oenpelli label verso. C.M.S code #M323
62 x 38 cm
Hammer price: $3,000
Net to seller: A$2,400
Kangaroo and Goanna 1979
natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark.
73 x 38 cm
Hammer price: A$2,400
Net to seller: A$1,920
Mimihs and Dilly Bag c. 1972
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark.
31.5 x 76 cm
Hammer price: A$2,250
Net to seller: A$1,800
Men and Women at Sacred Place of the Early Dreamtime
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, bears artist’s name and title on Church Missionary Society, Oenpelli, label on the reverse,
50.5 x 58.5 cm
Hammer price: A$2,000
Net to seller: A$1,600
Barramundi Dreaming
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark.
120 x 53 cm
Hammer price: A$1,700
Net to seller: A$1,360
Crocodile Said to Have Eaten His Way through the Mountain Causing A Split in the Liverpool Ranges 1970s
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, bears artist’s name, story depicted and place of execution on the reverse.
112 x 32.5 cm
Hammer price: A$1,300
Net to seller: A$1,040
Mimih Spirits (Male and Female) 1983
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark.
77 x 39.5 cm
Hammer price: A$250
Net to seller: A$200
Ankung Djang, 2005
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, inscribed verso: ‘#16493 / Lofty Bardayal Nadjamerrek /(partially obscured) ’05 Kabulwarnamyo’,
151 x 66 cm
Unsold
Namangor (The Barramundi) c. 1975
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, bears artists name and title on the reverse of frame,
37 x 79 cm
Unsold
X-ray Kangaroo and Mimi Spirit, c. 1974
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark
Size not recorded but likely around
120cm X 55 cm
Unsold
Goanna 1969
Natural earth pigments on bark.
78 x 35 cm
Unsold
Male and Female Mimihs Dancing
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark,
51.8 x 37.2 cm
Unsold
Wakkewakken (Honey Spirit), 2003
Natural earth pigments and synthetic binder on eucalyptus bark, inscribed verso, artist’s name, title and date,
116 x 34 cm
Unsold
Mimi Spirit Hunter (1991)
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark,
95 x 23 cm
Unsold
Arli-Arndor Dreaming
Natural earth pigments on eucalyptus bark, bears artist’s name, moiety, language and title on the reverse,
52.5 x 73 cm
Unsold
Artworks and Values
Understanding the Value of Lofty Nadjamerrek (Bardayal) Bark Paintings: What Affects Their Worth?
When it comes to valuing a Lofty Nadjamerrek (Bardayal) bark painting, the final price ultimately depends on what a buyer is willing to pay. However, there are several key factors that significantly influence the market value of Aboriginal bark art. If you’re buying, selling, or investing in Indigenous Australian artworks, understanding these factors is essential.
1. Size of the Bark Painting
In most cases, larger bark paintings command higher prices than smaller ones, assuming they are from the same period and in similar condition. Size directly impacts display appeal and perceived value.
2. Artistic Period
The age and era of the bark painting matter. Many collectors prefer early works, and for artists like Lofty Nadjamerrek, early-period barks are often more collectible and valuable than later works.
3. Subject Matter (Image)
Paintings that feature figures, ancestral spirits, or mythological beings tend to be more sought after than those depicting animals or landscapes. Collectors often place higher value on culturally significant and visually engaging subjects.
4. Condition of the Artwork
Flat, well-preserved bark paintings are generally more valuable than those that are warped or have pigment damage. While restoration is possible, it can be costly. Collectors typically pay a premium for works in original and excellent condition.
5. Songline or Dreamtime Story
Many bark paintings depict aspects of the Dreamtime (songlines)—the spiritual narratives passed down through generations. Works that illustrate well-known or sacred Dreamtime stories often attract higher interest and higher bids.
6. Artistic Composition
The aesthetic quality of a bark painting also plays a major role in its market appeal. Pieces with balanced composition, skilled line work, and visual harmony tend to stand out and command higher prices.
7. Provenance and Collection History
Artworks with a strong provenance, particularly those collected by reputable and ethical collectors, are more valuable. Documentation showing an artwork’s history adds authenticity and buyer confidence.
8. Year of sale
While some artists become more popular and valuable others become less popular and valuable over the years. The sale results for an artist fluctuate yearly and the value of an artwork sold 10 years ago is unlikely to be the value today
9. Institutions
When an artwork is bought using public funds by a public art gallery or museum, the sale price is often far greater than average.
10. Market Timing and Buyer Demand
Sometimes, the value of a bark painting comes down to luck and timing. Auctions require at least two interested buyers. If one collector is prepared to bid $5,000 and another $2,000, the final hammer price may be one bid over $2,000. Demand on the day can significantly sway the outcome.
In my experience it is better to put an exceptional artwork out to a group of collector for an extended period of time. Sometimes the artwork sells immediately but at other times the collector has to save enough money and talk themselves into making the purchase.
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