#OC222: 19th century Austral Island ceremonial paddle with intricate
designs.The entire surface of this paddle is carved with geometric
shapes cut into the surface in relief carving with the round top
surmounted by heads with large round eyes. Most paddles of this type
were collected in the 19th century, and the tradition is said to have
died out by the beginning of the 20th century. The light color wood
has a slight patina from age, and has not been sealed or colored in
any way. There are two places of restoration; the handle was cut in
half at about the center, and reattached with a metal pin and filled.
There was also a missing piece on the corner of one side of the
paddle blade that measured about ½” by 1½” long that has been filled,
carved and colored to match.
This piece comes with a custom metal
base, and measures 39 ½” long by 7” wide……………$4200.00
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