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THB19th C. Austral Island Wood Paddle - Intricate Carving
Lot 21
About Seller
Artemis Fine Arts
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$1,500 - $2,500
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| $100,000 | $10,000 |
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Fine Arts
Aug 22, 2025
Set Reminder
2025-08-22 10:00:00
2025-08-22 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Indigenous Art - Ralph T. Coe Center, Santa Fe, NM
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/indigenous-art---ralph-t-coe-center-santa-fe-nm-20324
Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com
Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com
View Full Catalog (452)
- Lot Description
Oceania, Polynesia, Austral Islands, Ra'ivavae, ca. 1820 to 1840 CE. A rare and visually commanding 19th-century ceremonial paddle from the Austral Islands, most likely Ra'ivavae, masterfully carved from dense tropical hardwood. These elaborate paddles are among the most iconic ceremonial artifacts of Polynesia, widely collected during the early contact period and now emblematic of Austral Island artistry. The entire surface is meticulously incised in relief with geometric motifs - diamond grids, zigzag panels, and concentric wave bands - executed with remarkable consistency and rhythm. The shaft is slender and elegant, with every surface worked, culminating in a finely detailed blade of almond form. At the paddle's crown, the squared terminal is crowned by a procession of stylized human heads with large circular eyes, carved in low relief. These frontal visages may represent ancestral figures or spirit guardians, anchoring the object in both communal and ritual function. Size: 42.6" L x 7.6" W (108.2 cm x 19.3 cm)
Though paddle-shaped, these works were never intended for ocean travel. Rather, they functioned as prestige objects - held or danced with during ceremonies - to express the spiritual and genealogical ties of the wielder. Their intricate carvings served both aesthetic and symbolic purposes, reflecting the advanced visual culture of Austral Island carvers. The tradition of carving such elaborate ceremonial paddles is believed to have flourished in the first half of the 19th century, particularly between 1820 and 1840, and had largely disappeared by the early 20th century. This example is an outstanding representation of that moment - a fusion of precision craftsmanship, cultural identity, and performative presence.
Provenance: Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA; purchased from Taylor Dale, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
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#195958White paint on arm and underside of handle, and some small chips on handle and base, but, otherwise, intact and excellent with impressive preservation of detail and light patina to wood.Condition
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