Paddle Item Number: Nb3.1484 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Carved paddle, painted green, red and black on both sides. Ovoid eye, feathers, head of an eagle, ovoid body and smaller ovoid with feather shapes painted on paddle.

History Of Use

Canoe paddles like this were probably made to be sold to non-Indigenous collectors. Producing collectible objects became a way for carvers and painters to continue their traditions during a time of great cultural change.

Narrative

Attributed to Daniel Houstie Jr., a Heiltsuk artist whose replicas of traditional objects were among the items collected by missionary R.W. Large for the Ontario Provincial Museum between 1898 and 1901.