Destruction of Vintage Aboriginal Artwork

Destruction of Vintage Aboriginal Artwork

Destruction of an Emu Egg carving, a masterpiece over 50 years old, crafted by Yamatji Elder M. Robinson, likely born in the early 1930s in or near Carnarvon, Western Australia. Acquired online, this fragile piece, carved to a 12 gsm thickness in some areas, was vulnerable to damage. While I anticipated transit risks, the seller’s gross negligence is solely responsible for this loss.

The seller’s packing was utterly deplorable: they forced the egg into a box so small that they cut a hole in one side, with the egg protruding, and covered it with flimsy cardboard. No “Fragile” label or adequate padding was used. It’s entirely plausible that the seller broke the egg during packaging yet still took my money, likely intending to blame the delivery company. The packing was so incompetent that it suggests they broke the egg deliberately, accepting payment as if it were intentional. The monetary loss is trivial compared to the destruction of this irreplaceable piece. While not on the scale of major cultural losses like Rio Tinto’s destruction of heritage sites, it remains a travesty.

I will undertake the daunting task of attempting to restore it myself, though the extent of the damage I’m not even sure it’s possible. Watch for a future update.

- Chris D.

Campfire Tones

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