Miniature Model Pukumani Grave Post “Tutini”
Unidentified Tiwi artist, Melville or Bathurst Island, Northern Territory,
Australia (map), c. 1960–70
Carved and painted wood
Ex–Texas collection
Partial typed label: Miniatu / Carved and P / Alice [Springs]
31.5” h x 3” w (80 x 7.6 cm)
Price: $2,800
A model miniature tutini (funerary pole) traditionally used in pukumani (burial ceremony) rites, whereafter it is abandoned to serve as a grave marker.
