Central Land Council

SOTHERBY'S AUCTION DESPITE PROTEST

The CLC has expressed extreme disappointment with Sotherbys Auction Agency for going ahead with the sale of a sacred object from and area west of Alice Springs. Sotherbys continued with the sale from a private collection despite requests by the CLC (on behalf of traditional owners) and the Federal Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Robert Tickner.

A number of requests were sent to Sotherbys outlining the importance of such objects and the agency was also aware of its historical background. CLC Director Tracker Tilmouth said even after the CLC appealed to Sotherbys to withdraw the object from sale they continued. "This is a sacred object that was taken by Pastor FW Albrecht earlier this century which cannot be seen.

This is not the first time such objects have been sold at auction overseas and the sad reality is there are no laws to assist traditional owners with the return of the object. There is also no assistance from Governments to buy back significant objects. Robert Tickner this raises concerns about the number of object in private collections.

"The fact that this auction follows a similar event in London last month and that further sales are expected in the future raises serious concerns about how much Aboriginal sacred material remains in private hands overseas.

"I will be holding talks with ATSIC and other Aboriginal leaders about a joint appeal to international auction houses, museums and private collectors about the need to more seriously take account of deeply-held views of Aboriginal people about the sale and ownership of their sacred material."