A Fine Club, Lil Lil

• Lot Sold $3,500 (Hammer Price)
• $4,200 (Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium)

UPPER CLARENCE RIVER, NEW SOUTH WALES  
carved hardwood  
LENGTH: 62CM  

Provenance:  
Alexander Stewart, Malara Goldfields, Timbarra region, NSW; thence by descent  
Private collection

Cf. For a similar example see Carol Cooper, et al., Aboriginal Australia, Sydney: Australian Galleries Directors' Council, 1981, pp.92-93, pl.S66 (illus.).
 
This club and the Narrow Club (lot 19) were purchased by the vendor directly from Alexander Stewart's great grandson.  
 
The Timbarra Plateau is located at the head waters of the Clarence River, near Tenterfield, New South Wales. The area is part of the lands traditionally inhabited by the Bundjalung people.
 
Pioneer, Alexander Stewart, like many men came to the Timbarra region in 1856 at the height of the gold rush in search of wealth. He was originally working as a carrier to and from the goldfields and later ran cattle, mined for gold, and finally operated a general store next to the homestead that he built on the fork of the Timbarra River and Malara Creek, NSW.
 
The oral history that was passed down through the family tells that Alexander Stewart obtained these clubs by direct trade with the local Aboriginals.

NB: This lot is the club on the left  in the accompanying photograph