Dr George Tjapaltjarri = top ten paintings sold
Dr George Ward Tjapaltjarri (circa 1930s–2017) was a highly respected Pintupi/Luritja elder, community health pioneer, and traditional Ngangkari (medicine man) who walked out of the Western Desert near Jupiter Well in 1964. [1]
Much like his regional peers, his paintings do not circulate on a global “Top 10” multi-million dollar list, which is reserved for rare early masterpieces by a tiny group of foundational desert fathers. Instead, Dr George’s art represents a strong, accessible tier of collectible contemporary Western Desert fine art. His verified public auction records typically peak between $2,000 and $15,000 AUD. [1, 2, 3]
Below is an overview of his highest public market milestones, along with the core elements collectors track for his paintings:
Verified Top Auction Sales & Historical Milestones
- Snakes Dreaming
- Sale Price: $12,895 USD (Approx. $19,000+ AUD, sold via Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris)
- Significance: This stands as the all-time public auction record for Dr George Ward Tjapaltjarri.
- Features: A highly sought-after, complex composition detailing the sacred movements of the ancestral Snake creators, which captured significant interest from European fine art investors. [1, 2, 3]
- Untitled (Tingari)
- Auction Range: $2,000 – $4,000 AUD (Traded regularly via portals like Invaluable)
- Significance: Standard gallery-sized canvases (approx. 123 x 91 cm) executed in synthetic polymer on premium linen. These pieces feature his distinctively raw, interlocking geometric blocks representing ancestral travel routes. [1, 2]
Key Value Indicators & Conflation Risks to Track
When premium institutions like Japingka Gallery or Mitchell Fine Art appraise a piece attributed to Dr George, they evaluate three primary criteria: [1]
- The “George Tjapaltjarri” Conflation Risk: In fine art databases, collectors must be extremely careful not to confuse Dr George Ward Tjapaltjarri with George (Tjampu) Tjapaltjarri (circa 1935–2005). George Tjampu was an earlier Papunya Tula pioneer whose masterpiece Karpadi broke records at Sotheby’s for $99,612 AUD. Dr George’s works are typically signed or inscribed with the title “Doctor George” on the reverse side of the canvas. [1, 2]
- The Tingari Aesthetic: Dr George’s signature visual style is defined by an incredibly bold, raw, and unembellished application of paint. He heavily favored a restricted, traditional desert palette—using deep reds, ochre yellows, stark whites, and heavy blacks to map the epic Tingari Cycle (the journeys of the creation ancestors). [1, 2]
- Ngangkari Heritage Context: Because of his status as a traditional healer (Ngangkari), pieces that explicitly cross over to document traditional medicine sites, ceremonial body decoration, or restricted men’s stories hold a much higher academic and financial value tier than generic decorative canvases. [1, 2]
Dr George Tjapaltjarri auction results
Dr George Ward Tjapaltjarri (also recorded as George Takara/Takata Tjapaltjarri, c. 1930s–2017) has an extensive secondary market footprint, with well over 80 recorded auction listings globally. As a revered Pintupi elder and ngangkari (traditional healer), his bold geometric interpretations of the Tingari Cycle and Snake Ancestors Dreaming regularly attract competitive bidding. [1, 2, 3]
His public auction values broadly fluctuate between $300 USD for smaller canvas boards and $12,000+ USD for expansive masterworks. [1]
Notable Sales & Auction Records
- “Snakes Dreaming“
- Value: $12,895 USD
- Significance: This stands as the historical public auction record for the artist, sold at Cornette de Saint Cyr in Paris. [1]
- “Tingari” & “Tingari Cycle” (Large Formats)
- Estimates: Major houses routinely place mid-to-high estimates on his large-scale linen works. For example, a prominent lot handled by Bonhams carried an estimate of $4,000 – $6,000 USD, while Lawsons valued another major piece at $3,000 – $5,000 USD. [1]
- “Moon Dreaming” & Untitled Lineages
Market Valuation Differentiators
When evaluating a piece by Dr George Tjapaltjarri, collectors and appraisers primarily look at:
- Palette Choice: Works executing raw, traditional Western Desert pigment tones (deep red, ochre yellow, stark white, and charcoal black) yield premium interest over untraditional palettes. [1]
- Design Form: The presence of interlocking concentric squares or linear paths tracking sacred laws drastically commands higher hammer values compared to his simpler dot schemas. [1]
- Provenance Chains: Because his primary-market distribution moved fluidly through regional portals like the Japingka Gallery and Mitchell Fine Art, certificates of authenticity from established desert community projects heavily dictate final auction liquidity.
Aug 25, 2026
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI, (c.1930-2017), “Tingari”, Acrylic on linen., 86cm x 35cm
Ozbid Auctions
Sold: AUD900
Aug 04, 2026
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI, (c.1930-2017), “Tingari”, Acrylic on linen., 36cm x 41cm
Ozbid Auctions
Sold: AUD300
May 19, 2026
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI, Untitled, 2000
Art Leven (formerly Cooee Art)
Sold: AUD2,000
May 19, 2026
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI, Untitled, 2000
Art Leven (formerly Cooee Art)
Sold: AUD5,000
May 06, 2026
George (Dr. George) Tjapaltjarri (b. 1950) Tingari Cylce, 2000
Bonhams
Passed
Apr 07, 2026
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI, (c.1930-2017), “Travelling Man Tingari”, Acrylic on canvas., 91cm x 28cm
Ozbid Auctions
Sold: AUD800
Jun 25, 2025
Christian McCann Auctions
Sold: AUD1,800
Apr 21, 2025
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI, “Tingari”, Acrylic on linen., 36cm x 83cm
Ozbid Auctions
Sold: AUD300
Mar 16, 2025
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI, “Tingari”, Acrylic on linen., 66cm x 51cm
Ozbid Auctions
Sold: AUD650
Dec 08, 2024
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI, “Untitled”, Acrylic on linen., 76cm x 56cm
Ozbid Auctions
Sold: AUD700
Jan 28, 2024
Dr George Tjapaltjarri, Kintore, NT (b.c. 1930s-2017), Untitled, Arcylic on canvas
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Sold: AUD300
Nov 08, 2023
Dr George Tjapaltjarri – Tingari Cycle, 2001
Cooee Art
Sold: AUD1,500
Jul 31, 2023
Dr. George Tjapaltjarri, , Untitled, Acrylic on canvas
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Sold: AUD850
Jul 31, 2023
Dr George Tjapaltjarri, , Untitled, Acrylic on linen
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Sold: AUD1,100
Jul 31, 2023
Dr. George Tjapaltjarri, , Untitled, Acrylic on canvas
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Sold: AUD600
May 22, 2023
Dr. George Tjapaltjarri, , Untitled, Acrylic on canvas
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Passed
Jul 28, 2022
Dr George Tjapaltjarri (c.1930-2017)
Shapiro Auctioneers
Passed
Jul 04, 2021
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI “Untitled”
Ozbid Auctions
Passed
Jul 04, 2021
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI “Untitled”
Ozbid Auctions
Passed
Dec 06, 2020
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI “Untitled”
Ozbid Auctions
Passed
Oct 20, 2020
Dr George Tjapaltjarri – Tingari Cycle, 1998
Cooee Art
Sold: AUD3,200
Apr 26, 2020
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI “Untitled”
Ozbid Auctions
Passed
Apr 05, 2020
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI “Untitled”
Ozbid Auctions
Passed
Mar 22, 2020
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI “Untitled”
Ozbid Auctions
Passed
Mar 17, 2019
Dr. George Tjapaltjarri (b.c.1935) Men’s Story Acrylic on linen
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Sold: AUD600
Mar 24, 2015
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI “Tingari” Acrylic on canvas.
Ozbid Auctions
Sold: AUD320
Jan 26, 2015
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI “Tingari” Acrylic on linen.
Ozbid Auctions
Sold: AUD220
Dec 21, 2014
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI “Tingari” Acrylic on canvas.
Ozbid Auctions
Sold: AUD600
Nov 23, 2014
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI “Tingari” Acrylic on canvas.
Ozbid Auctions
Sold: AUD320
Nov 23, 2014
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI “Tingari” Acrylic on canvas.
Ozbid Auctions
Sold: AUD550
Nov 25, 2012
“DR” GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI TINGARI 2001 synthetic
Aboriginal Gallery of Dreamings
Passed
Nov 25, 2012
Dr George Tjapaltjarri (born circa 1935) Tingari Cycle acrylic on canvas
Bay East Auctions
Sold: AUD780
Sep 14, 2012
Dr. George Tjapaltjarri – Mens’ Dreaming 46 x 46cm
Lawsons
Passed
Sep 14, 2012
Dr. George Tjapaltjarri – Tingari stamp and signature to verso
Lawsons
Passed
Sep 14, 2012
Dr. George Tjapaltjarri – Tingari stamp and signature to verso
Lawsons
Sold: AUD160
Mar 18, 2012
“DR” GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI TINGARI 1999 synthetic
Aboriginal Gallery of Dreamings
Passed
Mar 18, 2012
“DR” GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI TINGARI 1999 synthetic
Aboriginal Gallery of Dreamings
Sold: AUD2,400
Mar 18, 2012
“DR” GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI TINGARI 1998 synthetic
Aboriginal Gallery of Dreamings
Passed
Mar 18, 2012
“DR” GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI TINGARI 2000 synthetic
Aboriginal Gallery of Dreamings
Passed
Mar 18, 2012
“DR” GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI TINGARI 2001 synthetic
Aboriginal Gallery of Dreamings
Passed
Nov 11, 2010
Dr. George Tjapaltjarri (born ca. 1945)
Bonhams
Passed
Nov 11, 2010
Dr. George Tjapaltjarri (born ca. 1935)
Bonhams
Passed
Mar 17, 2010
Dr GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI (Takata Ward dit) Tingari
Tajan
Passed
Nov 12, 2007
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI (c. 1935 – ) Body Painting
Leonard Joel
Passed
Nov 12, 2007
GEORGE (DR GEORGE) TJAPALTJARRI (c. 1930 – )
Leonard Joel
Sold: AUD1,000
Nov 12, 2007
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI (c. 1935 – ) Creation Story
Leonard Joel
Passed
Nov 12, 2007
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI (c. 1935 – ) Liru Tjuta
Leonard Joel
Passed
Jul 17, 2005
Lawsons
Sold: AUD1,175
Nov 23, 2004
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI (CIRCA 1935 – ) – Tingari Cycle 2001 E3 000-4 000
Lawsons
Sold: AUD2,400
Nov 23, 2004
DR GEORGE TJAPALTJARRI (CIRCA 1935 – ) – Pulli and Bushfire 2000 E10 000-12 000
Lawsons
Passed
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