• Title
  Magil, Corroboree dance [ca 1819-20] / [attributed to R.Browne]
• Creator
  Richard Browne, 1776-1824
• Call number
  SV/147
  
• Level of description
  fonds
• Date
  
  [ca 1819-20]
• Type of material
  Graphic Materials, Watercolours
• Reference code
  457943
• Issue Copy
  Digitised
• Physical Description
  Drawings - 1 watercolour - 23.5 x 31.5 cm.
  
• ADMINISTRATIVE/ BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
  
  Biraban (Magil, McGill, Magill, Eaglehawk, We-pohng) (fl.1819-1842): An Aboriginal leader who was a member of the Awabakal or Newcastle tribe. From boyhood he was servant to an officer at the military barracks, Sydney, where he learnt to speak English fluently, and was given the name John McGill. He served as an interpreter in court cases involving Aborigines, Governor Darling recognising him as `king of the tribe at Lake Macquarie' -- Ref: Dictionary of Australian Artists Online.
• Copying Conditions
  Out of copyright: Artist died before 1955
  Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
• General note
  
  Work is unsigned and undated; Dated from comparison with other dated works by Browne in the collection
  `Two variants of this subject are known, one is in the RexNan Kivell Collection, Canberra and another was sold at Sotheby's Sydney on 24th October 1985, Lot 81' -- Sotheby's Australia Catalogue 29 Oct 87 (PICTURES/Q017.3/12)
  A description of Biraban was published in `An Australian language as spoken by the Awabakal, the people of Awaba or Lake Macquarie (near Newcastle, New South Wales) / by L.E. Threlkeld' (N572.991/2)
  For further information: L. E. Threlkeld - Papers, 1817-1871, MLMSS 2111; A key to the structure of the Aboriginal language / By L.E. Threlkeld, N572.991/2; Rage for curiosity / Richard Neville, REF1/709.9407494/13A; Skottow Manuscript / Tim Bonyhady. Sydney : David Ell Press : Hordern House, 1988 (ML Q508.944/1)
  Digital order no:a1528359
• Signatures / Inscriptions
  
  Titled beneath image
• Name
  Biraban
  
• Subject
  Aboriginal Australians--New South Wales.
  Aboriginal Australians in art.
  Adult Males
  
• Topic
  Aboriginal peoples (Australians)
  corroborees
  portraits
  rites & ceremonies
  weapons
  
• Exhibited in
  
  Nelson Meers Foundation Heritage Collection - State Library of New South Wales (April-November 2009)
  Treasures of Newcastle from the Macquarie Era - Newcastle Region Art Gallery (February 2013 - May 2013)
• Open Rosetta viewer
  IE3243835

View Media Files

1.

Show more