Auction airs possum skin cloak tradition

Aboriginal Art Directory | 14.10.08

Interesting article in The Age about possum skin cloaks:

SEVERAL years ago, Aboriginal women Treahna Hamm and Lee Daroch drove from their respective homes in Gippsland and Wodonga to view two rare 19th-century possum skin cloaks in the possession of Museum Victoria.

Only 10 traditional possum skin cloaks remain in existence worldwide and when the two Yorta Yorta women saw the pair in Museum Victoria's possession they were so moved by the craft of their ancestors they set about learning and reviving the art.

Last night, their meticulously crafted possum skin cloak became the first to be offered at public auction. The cloak had been expected to sell for between $20,000 to $30,000 but it was passed in at $15,000.

URL: http://www.theage.com.au/national/auction-airs-possum-skin-cloak-tradition-20081012-4z64.html

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