Lot 4109

Maningrida Arts & Culture, Northern Territory (accompanied by a certificate of authenticity)
Private collection, Melbourne

"Kuninjku people traditionally make two sorts of conical fish traps, one called Mandjabu made from mill (Malaisia scandens) a vine and a smaller one called Manyilk Mandjabu made from grass manyilk (cyperus javanicus). The mill (large) conical fish trap is bigger and stronger than the manyilk variety and is used in tidal reaches of creeks to catch large fish. The smaller and lighter manyilk trap is used in fresh water flowing creeks to catch smaller fish and fresh water prawns. Traditionally, only men were involved in the construction of the large fish traps, but small children were used to crawl inside to assist with the inner trap."
As stated on the Maningrida Arts & Culture certificate of authenticity

© James Iyuna/Copyright Agency, 2023