I should be so lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky

Tim Simmons · 7th October 2007, 07:35 PM

in the car boot sale.

The hook bit on the spear thrower is missing and the boomerang has a large spit but not irreparable. The boomerang is rather light so I would think it is for hunting. It could be thrown as a distraction.

Jason Anstey · 8th October 2007, 04:15 AM

Hi there

the spear thrower is called a woomera, good pick up.

Cheers

Jason

katana · 8th October 2007, 05:08 PM

Hi Tim,
nice pieces. The boomerang is unlikely to be a hunting type. Hunting boomerangs are usually heavy-ish, the 'limbs' are not symmetrical and do not return to the thrower. Generally speaking the returnable type are for sport and fun (even amongst the Aborigines) and was developed from the hunting type which, in turn, evolved from from the 'throwing stick',
The 'aero foil' edge allows the boomerang to be thrown more accurately and the 'spin' generated increases the 'impact power' (over a throwing stick/club).

The spear thrower is typical Australasian in style, and has already been mentioned is a woomera. Spear throwers are very wide spread (world wide) but design features vary from region to region (some are exclusive to certain tribes or people.

Unfortunately many of these boomerangs and woomera's, although Aboriginal made, are for the tourist market and unless it has good provenance or 'good age' patina. It is likely that these will be placed in the 'tourist type' even though they are made to 'proper specification' by authentic people.

Pictures below show early Australasian hunting sticks (the similarity to certain African throwing knives is obvious) and the hunting types

Tim Simmons · 8th October 2007, 08:40 PM

Thanks for the knowledge on these matters.

7th October 2007, 07:35 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	I should be so lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky in the car boot sale. The hook bit on the spear thrower is missing and the boomerang has a large spit but not irreparable. The boomerang is rather light so I would think it is for hunting. It could be thrown as a distraction.

8th October 2007, 05:08 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Tim, nice pieces. The boomerang is unlikely to be a hunting type. Hunting boomerangs are usually heavy-ish, the 'limbs' are not symmetrical and do not return to the thrower. Generally speaking the returnable type are for sport and fun (even amongst the Aborigines) and was developed from the hunting type which, in turn, evolved from from the 'throwing stick', The 'aero foil' edge allows the boomerang to be thrown more accurately and the 'spin' generated increases the 'impact power' (over a throwing stick/club). The spear thrower is typical Australasian in style, and has already been mentioned is a woomera. Spear throwers are very wide spread (world wide) but design features vary from region to region (some are exclusive to certain tribes or people. Unfortunately many of these boomerangs and woomera's, although Aboriginal made, are for the tourist market and unless it has good provenance or 'good age' patina. It is likely that these will be placed in the 'tourist type' even though they are made to 'proper specification' by authentic people. Pictures below show early Australasian hunting sticks (the similarity to certain African throwing knives is obvious) and the hunting types Attached Images

8th October 2007, 04:15 AM	#2
Jason Anstey Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 102	Hi there the spear thrower is called a woomera, good pick up. Cheers Jason

8th October 2007, 08:40 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Thanks for the knowledge on these matters.