This Aboriginal hunting boomerang, or throwstick, was made by Australian Aborigines in the first half of the 20th Century. The wood is probably Desert Mulga, a tough Gum hardwood that grows in the Desert. The tips and elbow have the characteristic blonde coloration of desert Mulga and the central part of the wood has darkened considerably with age. Both surfaces are scraped smooth. The shape and airfoiling is similar to that found on hunting boomerangs sold by the Christian (Yalata) missions. However, the entire upper surface is decorated with Aboriginal line and dot art. The lines are zig zag style similar to what you would find on boomerangs from Western Australia. This is very attractive and uncommon for this region of Australia. There are light scratches on the tips from use and you can feel the rough surface with your finger tips, but the boomerang looks completely undamaged. Very nice!