Untitled [Churinga]

Name/Title

Untitled [Churinga]

Entry/Object ID

5223

Description

Flat, oval stone with etched designs, orange in color.

Artwork Details

Medium

Slate red ochre

Context

A churinga, also spelled “tjurunga,” is a highly sacred object of the Aboriginal Australian culture. More specifically, the word comes from the Aranda language, a dialect spoken in Central Australia. A churinga is often a flat oval stone or a wooden board, both with the same etched designs. While a Churinga is a mythological being, the stone or board is a physical representation of this being. These objects often belong to one specific person, as young men receive them (along with the sacred knowledge that is associated with them) when they come of age. Due to cultural customs, this object can not be reproduced by photograph.

Acquisition

Notes

Collection of DePaul Art Museum

Made/Created

Artist

Unknown artist

Notes

Creation Date: 20th century

Ethnography

Notes

Churinga Australia

Lexicon

Legacy Lexicon

Object Name

sacred icon stone (Chruinga)

Class

DECORATIVE ARTS

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Whole

Width

16.51 cm

Depth

2.54 cm

Length

35.56 cm