CEREMONIAL PADDLE, AUSTRAL ISLANDS

Private Collection, Florida

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

Private Collection, 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 maritime 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.