Home > Europe > United Kingdom > Scotland > Aberdeenshire > Huntly
Sketches in Southern Australia - the Dead Emu, 1857. Creator: Unknown
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Heritage Images
Sketches in Southern Australia - the Dead Emu, 1857. Creator: Unknown
Sketches in Southern Australia - the Dead Emu, 1857. The taking of the Emu is a favourite sport of the aborigines: the emu is caught in very large nets, twenty yards long and five feet high, which are here made of the roots of the marsh, baked and chewed, and then spun. Several natives will watch the emus as they go to drink at the lagoons, having heard the birds whistling, and set their nets in readiness; they then drive the emus towards the nets, where other natives are lying in ambush; the birds get frightened and entangled, the natives rush upon them, and when in the net seize hold of them and kill them with spears and wirris'. From "Illustrated London News", 1857
Heritage Images features heritage image collections
Media ID 36336718
© The Print Collector/Heritage Images
Aboriginal Aborigine Aborigines Australia Australian Bush Game Game Bird Hunted Hunter Hunters Huntsman Huntsmen Indigenous People Outback Typical Wood Engraving
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Animals
> Birds
> Cassowaries
> Emu
> Animals
> Birds
> Passerines
> Whistlers
> Related Images
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> Scotland
> Aberdeenshire
> Huntly
EDITORS COMMENTS
This black and white wood engraving, titled 'Sketches in Southern Australia - the Dead Emu, 1857,' showcases an intriguing moment in the Australian outback. The image depicts several Aboriginal men, dressed in traditional attire, gathered around a dead emu. The emu, an iconic Australian bird, lies lifeless in the grass, its long neck and legs outstretched. The scene is described in the 'Illustrated London News' of 1857, which accompanied the engraving. The text explains that the taking of the emu was a popular sport among the Aboriginal people of Southern Australia. They would use large nets, made from the roots of marsh plants, to catch the birds as they went to drink at the lagoons. The Aboriginal hunters would set their nets in readiness, hiding in ambush and driving the emus towards the nets. Once entangled, they would rush in and kill the birds with spears and wirris. The wood engraving is a fascinating glimpse into the traditional hunting practices of the Aboriginal people of Southern Australia during the 19th century. The image captures the raw beauty of the Australian bush, with its trees and plants, and the stark contrast between the black and white figures of the Aboriginal hunters and the dead emu. The engraving is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Australia and the deep connection its indigenous people have with the land and its wildlife.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
FREE COLORIZATION SERVICE
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge!
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
