Indigenous Art

Leonard Joel offers a range of historical and contemporary Australian Indigenous works of art and artefacts at auction.

In recent years, Leonard Joel has offered significant collections of Indigenous Art including The Mark Lissauer Collection of Tribal Art & Artefacts, a vast collection assembled over 67 years, and The Sonia Heitlinger Collection.

With extensive expertise and market knowledge in this field, our Indigenous Art specialists and have also achieved exceptional prices for rare artefacts including $23,400 for an early 20th century Papua New Guinea Pigment Bowl and the Galbraith Boomerang, circa 1901-4, which realised $13,200. The Galbraith Boomerang and related items now proudly form part of Museum Victoria’s collection.

If you have a single work of art or a collection you are considering selling, please contact us for a complimentary valuation.

On 3rd December 2021, Leonard Joel introduced a new policy in relation to the consignment of Australian Indigenous art. Read our policy here.
Indigenous Art Auction Highlights

SALLY GABORI (c.1924-2015) (Language group: Kaiadilt) My Father's Country 2006 © Sally Gabori/Copyright Agency, 2023

Sold for $22,500

GINGER RILEY MUNDUWALAWALA (1936-2002) Untitled 1994

Sold for $30,000

ELIZABETH NYUMI (1947-2019) (Language group: Pintupi) Untitled 2002

Sold for $25,000

NAATA NUNGURRAYI (born 1932) (Language group: Pintupi) Untitled 2004

Sold for $21,250
Indigenous Art Specialists
Wiebke Brix

Head of Art

Wiebke Brix brings a wealth of experience, passion for art and expertise to Leonard Joel. Wiebke holds a PhD in Fine Art and has extensive experience in the gallery sector, as well as experience in project management and marketing.

Wiebke completed a master’s of studio arts with honours at Sydney College of the Arts under the influential contemporary Australian painter and sculptor Lindy Lee. Wiebke was then awarded a scholarship to complete a PhD in Fine Arts at Monash University in Melbourne, focusing on sculpture and installation art. After completing her studies, she commenced her career at Scott Livesey Galleries as Gallery Manager, working with important Australian artists such as Stelarc, Joshua Yeldham and Bruce Armstrong. It was through director Scott Livesey that she was first exposed to the secondary art market and developed an interest in the field.

In 2022, Wiebke decided to return to her adoration for the arts and took on the role of Art Curator at Alcaston Gallery. Wiebke’s tenure at Alcaston Gallery, known for its expertise in First Nations Art, has provided her with valuable insights into the indigenous art market.

Amanda North

Art Specialist

Amanda's academic credentials include a Bachelor of Art History and a Master of Art Curatorship from the University of Melbourne. Amanda's interest in Italian art led her to study abroad in Italy throughout her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, where she lived in Prato, Florence, and Venice while studying Italian Renaissance, Italian language, and Museology.

Her professional journey features roles at notable auction houses and private galleries, where she developed a keen eye for art valuation and curation. Prior to this Fine Art Specialist role, Amanda was the Art Salon Manager at Leonard Joel since 2021 where she developed her skills and interest in art valuation, thematic auction curation and auctioneering. Her experience encompasses managing significant collections and auctions, including the Sidney Nolan Auction ‘Myths, Legends, Landscapes’ from the Estate of Lady Mary Nolan and the deaccession of the National Australian Bank’s (NAB) collection - notably, where Amanda secured a white glove sale for the curated Peter Trusler auction.

With a keen interest in Australian women artists, Amanda curated thematic auctions to highlight a collection of works by Anne Marie Graham and Florence Dearling. Amanda's broad expertise in art history spans across various periods, thus underlining her involvement in expanding Leonard Joel's fine art offerings.

Our Departments

Leonard Joel offers specialist experience and regular, curated auctions across a diverse range of categories.

Important Collections

Over our 100 year history, Leonard Joel has been entrusted with the auction of some of the most interesting and important collections in Australia.

Jewellery

Founded over four decades ago, Leonard Joel’s Jewellery department leads the market in Australia with regular, curated auctions in Melbourne and Sydney.

Art

Leonard Joel’s Art Department offers expertise and extensive market knowledge in traditional, modern, international and contemporary art.

Decorative arts

Leonard Joel presents fine European and Australian interiors in curated collections.

Asian Art

Featuring important Chinese jade, ceramics and textiles, Himalayan, Indian, Japanese and Korean works of art.

Modern Design

Modern Design is one of Leonard Joel’s most dynamic and increasingly popular collecting categories.

Luxury

Unique to the Australian marketplace, Leonard Joel’s Luxury department offers vintage and contemporary handbags and accessories.

Collectables

Leonard Joel provides unrivalled expertise in this eclectic collecting category.