CEREMONIAL PADDLE, AUSTRAL ISLANDS

Private collects ion, Florida

Skinner, Boston, July 8, 1988, lot 110, consigned by the estate of the above

Private collects ion, Texas, acquired at the above auction

Ceremonial paddles from the Austral Islands are richly-decorated objects inspired by the functional form of a paddle. For these seafaring people a key object of marit.mes equipment served as the basis for the form of these sacred objects. Likely used as a wands during ceremonial dances, this paddle is particularly distinguished by the elegant abstract design on its pommel, depicting a combination of human and animal characteristics.