Memorial Pole
Item number 3373/1 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.
Item number 3373/1 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.
This page shows all the information we have about this item. Both the institution that physically holds this item, and RRN members have contributed the knowledge on this page. You’re looking at the item record provided by the holding institution. If you scroll further down the page, you’ll see the information from RRN members, and can share your own knowledge too.
The RRN processes the information it receives from each institution to make it more readable and easier to search. If you’re doing in-depth research on this item, be sure to take a look at the Data Source tab to see the information exactly as it was provided by the institution.
These records are easy to share because each has a unique web address. You can copy and paste the location from your browser’s address bar into an email, word document, or chat message to share this item with others.
This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.
Hollow memorial pole with designs painted across the exterior. Assorted designs circle pole in five wide bands, divided into four columns; done in white, maroon, black and dark yellow. The dark yellow and black pigment alternate in the bands as a primary colour; white and maroon are dominant colours throughout. Columns in each band alternate between an animal design and rows of interconnected diamonds; zigzags, plain lines and dot motifs throughout. Bands are separated with three plain yellow lines over alternating maroon and black lines. From top to bottom of pole, the animals are: crayfish, turtles, herons, fish and frog-like figures. Interior is undecorated.
Traditionally a larrakitj (memorial pole) was used as a mortuary pole, hollowed to hold the bones of the dead, after the body was burned. The poles were placed on significant sites, painted with clan symbols, and left to deteriorate over time.
Purchased by Mayer (for the museum) from an art centre in Yirrkala, in April 2019, while leading a "MOA Journeys" tour to northern Australia.
Contemporary art.
Made from a "stringybark" pole using natural pigments.
This data has been provided to the RRN by the MOA: University of British Columbia. We've used it to provide the information on the Data tab.
Purchased by Mayer (for the museum) from an art centre in Yirrkala, in April 2019, while leading a "MOA Journeys" tour to northern Australia.
Traditionally a larrakitj (memorial pole) was used as a mortuary pole, hollowed to hold the bones of the dead, after the body was burned. The poles were placed on significant sites, painted with clan symbols, and left to deteriorate over time.
Contemporary art.
Made from a "stringybark" pole using natural pigments.
Hollow memorial pole with designs painted across the exterior. Assorted designs circle pole in five wide bands, divided into four columns; done in white, maroon, black and dark yellow. The dark yellow and black pigment alternate in the bands as a primary colour; white and maroon are dominant colours throughout. Columns in each band alternate between an animal design and rows of interconnected diamonds; zigzags, plain lines and dot motifs throughout. Bands are separated with three plain yellow lines over alternating maroon and black lines. From top to bottom of pole, the animals are: crayfish, turtles, herons, fish and frog-like figures. Interior is undecorated.
Let the RRN community answer your questions
With an account, you can ask other users a question about this item. Request an Account
Share your knowlege of this item with the RRN community
With an account, you can submit information about this item and have it visible to all users and institutions on the RRN. Request an Account