Kimberley glass points

Aboriginal stone tools can be found throughout Australia, yet few match the level of craftsmanship exhibited in the small cutting blades known as Kimberley points. As the name implies, they originate in the Kimberley region of north-western Australia.

Although the points were originally made of stone, the use of glass and various ceramic materials became widespread following contact with Europeans in the late 19th century. A sophisticated pressure-flaking technique was developed to produce a sharp cutting edge on the glass points; this also gave them their unique beauty.

The points are still manufactured in a few remote communities in the Kimberleys by a dwindling number of Aboriginal craftsmen.