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VICTORIAN TRANSITIONAL BOOMERANG
Boxing Match (Jerry Jerome) c1940
hardwood carved with pairs of boxers in relief , figures partly decorated with black and red paint
57cm (length)
PROVENANCE
Private collection, Victoria c1965
thence by descent
OTHER NOTES
Born in Queensland in 1874, Jerry Jerome became the first Aboriginal boxer to win a title when in 1912 he claimed the Australian Middleweight crown. This was no mean feat for a man who entered the boxing ring, untrained and at the mature age of 32. His career spanned a mere seven years but in that time he won 39 of his 69 fights with an impressive 32 won by knockout or the opponent's exhaustion.
Jerome was known for his unorthodox boxing style; often fighting in a southpaw stance and "he had a quick right lead, could punch effectively at long range or close quarters, and his left (somewhat 'agricultural') swing was his most dangerous blow."1
On the boomerang the black short wearing boxer is depicted, animation style, knocking out his red-shorted opponent with the powerful left hook swing like that belonging to Jerome.
The boomerang was collected many decades ago in and around central/ western Victoria and the subject matter has been recognised by members belonging to the Framlingham Aboriginal community. The maker is most likely Victorian, however there could be a link to Cherbourg, Queensland for this is where Jerome retired. In his final years he taught the young people boxing, ensuring a legacy before he passed away in 1943. This boomerang was possibly created in memory of a man whose name and achievements are still well known in the indigenous community but almost forgotten outside of it.
1 Broome, Richard, 'Jerome Jerry (1874-1943)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/jerome-jerry-10624/text 18883
Sold for $1,000
Lot 23
Boxing Match (Jerry Jerome) c1940
hardwood carved with pairs of boxers in relief , figures partly decorated with black and red paint
57cm (length)
PROVENANCE
Private collection, Victoria c1965
thence by descent
OTHER NOTES
Born in Queensland in 1874, Jerry Jerome became the first Aboriginal boxer to win a title when in 1912 he claimed the Australian Middleweight crown. This was no mean feat for a man who entered the boxing ring, untrained and at the mature age of 32. His career spanned a mere seven years but in that time he won 39 of his 69 fights with an impressive 32 won by knockout or the opponent's exhaustion.
Jerome was known for his unorthodox boxing style; often fighting in a southpaw stance and "he had a quick right lead, could punch effectively at long range or close quarters, and his left (somewhat 'agricultural') swing was his most dangerous blow."1
On the boomerang the black short wearing boxer is depicted, animation style, knocking out his red-shorted opponent with the powerful left hook swing like that belonging to Jerome.
The boomerang was collected many decades ago in and around central/ western Victoria and the subject matter has been recognised by members belonging to the Framlingham Aboriginal community. The maker is most likely Victorian, however there could be a link to Cherbourg, Queensland for this is where Jerome retired. In his final years he taught the young people boxing, ensuring a legacy before he passed away in 1943. This boomerang was possibly created in memory of a man whose name and achievements are still well known in the indigenous community but almost forgotten outside of it.
1 Broome, Richard, 'Jerome Jerry (1874-1943)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/jerome-jerry-10624/text 18883
Estimate $800 - $1,200
Aboriginal Art and Artefact Auction
AUCTION
Sale: LJ5684
6:30pm - 25 October 2012
333 Malvern Rd, South Yarra 3141
VIEWING
Viewing
Saturday 20 October 2012 - Thursday 25 October 2012
Daily 10am - 4pm
CONTACT
Sophie Ullin
info@leonardjoel.com.au
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