oceania | Austral Islands
Ceremonial Paddle
Austral Islands
First part of the 19th century
Carved wood
Height: 97 cm – 38 in.
Provenance
Ex collection Keith Gormley Evesham, Worcester
Ex collection Edric van Vredenburgh, Brussels
Austral Paddle 97 cm ex collection Van Vredenburgh/ Galerie Flak
Price on request
Neither Polynesian oral tradition nor travel narratives relate information on either functional or ritual use of this type of Austral Islands paddle. It is nevertheless probable that they were designed as emblems of status and intended for ceremonial use.
These paddles are distinguished by the elegance of their decoration and their purity of form – constituting veritable lace-making out of wood.
These paddles are distinguished by the elegance of their decoration and their purity of form – constituting veritable lace-making out of wood.
Publication
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