Cassandra D'Cruz
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Lot 29
Ceremonial Paddle, Austral Islands
13 November 2018, 11:00 EST
New YorkUS$35,000 - US$45,000
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Ceremonial Paddle, Austral Islands
ra'ivavae
height 75in (190.5cm)
Provenance
William O. Oldman, London
Sotheby's, London, June 17, 1991, Lot 87
Hélène and Philippe Leloup, Paris
American Private Collection, acquired 1991
According to Rhys Richards, 'Though widely called "paddles," these objects are not functional paddles. They are 'paddle shaped,' but their sizes are too extreme; their shafts are too weak, and they are thoroughly unsuitable for use as paddles. Consequently it has been assumed that they were emblems of rank or status, for ceremonial rather than functional use.'
Rhys continues, 'There are good grounds for asserting however that few if any "paddles" were made and exported after 1842. Firstly, the population decline was extreme, particularly among the adults, and dead men made no paddles. By 1840 the total population on Tubuai had fallen to 250 and on Raivavae to 360. If half were children, and half the adult were female, then the pool of adult men who could have been potential carvers, was about 90 and 60 for the two islands respectively. Actual carvers would have been even fewer, particularly if as previously, carvers had been a select group. However, according to the mission records, by then most of these men would have been Christians, whose devout moral advisers actively discouraged traditional arts.' (The Austral Islands: History, Art and Art History, New Zealand, 2012, pp 141-145)
Superbly carved throughout with nine dancing figures around the pommel, the cylindrical shaft and elegant spade-form blade carved throughout with exceedingly fine incised x-form and zigzag design with two bands of sunburst designs around the shaft; rich and glossy dark-brown patina overall.
height 75in (190.5cm)
Provenance
William O. Oldman, London
Sotheby's, London, June 17, 1991, Lot 87
Hélène and Philippe Leloup, Paris
American Private Collection, acquired 1991
According to Rhys Richards, 'Though widely called "paddles," these objects are not functional paddles. They are 'paddle shaped,' but their sizes are too extreme; their shafts are too weak, and they are thoroughly unsuitable for use as paddles. Consequently it has been assumed that they were emblems of rank or status, for ceremonial rather than functional use.'
Rhys continues, 'There are good grounds for asserting however that few if any "paddles" were made and exported after 1842. Firstly, the population decline was extreme, particularly among the adults, and dead men made no paddles. By 1840 the total population on Tubuai had fallen to 250 and on Raivavae to 360. If half were children, and half the adult were female, then the pool of adult men who could have been potential carvers, was about 90 and 60 for the two islands respectively. Actual carvers would have been even fewer, particularly if as previously, carvers had been a select group. However, according to the mission records, by then most of these men would have been Christians, whose devout moral advisers actively discouraged traditional arts.' (The Austral Islands: History, Art and Art History, New Zealand, 2012, pp 141-145)
Superbly carved throughout with nine dancing figures around the pommel, the cylindrical shaft and elegant spade-form blade carved throughout with exceedingly fine incised x-form and zigzag design with two bands of sunburst designs around the shaft; rich and glossy dark-brown patina overall.
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