Ceremonial Spears, Arnhem Land Northern Australia

These three finely carved and ochre painted ceremonial Spears are the Northeast Arnhem Land area in the Northern Territory of Australia. These were objects that were held by people when dancing and performing traditional ceremonies and initiations of young men. Each spear is carved from a single piece of hardwood with intricately carved barbs and then the whole spear ochre painted. Dating from the 1960’s.