This Aboriginal coolamon was made out of a dark colored hardwood, possibly Mulga. It is decorated on the exterior surface with pyrographic art depicting a leaf and a serpent(?). Coolamons with similar art were made in the Central Desert of Australia by Aborigines in the 1930s thru the1960s. I have seen similar coolamons in books saying that these were made by the Pitjantjatjara. However, this coolamon appears to be older, so the art may have been added after the coolamon was originally made. Coolamons are multipurpose bowls that are used for food preparation. They are also used for the grinding of ochre minerals and for the preparation of vegetables and herbs. This bowl is slightly larger than the average coolamon. There is a natural knot that runs through this coolamon, but it is flush with both surfaces and without voids. Very nice! A good collectable that will display well.

Please note: A set of 4 similar coolamons recently sold on eBay for $155. The eBay coolamons had worm holes and they were sanded flat on the support surface of the convex side. This coolamon is in much better shape. For comparison, click here to see the coolamon set that was sold on eBay.