Boat Carving Item Number: 2796/4 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Solid wood carving of a boat with male and female accordion players and two birds glued onto the deck. The figures have a micorphone on a wire between them, and red lips and pencil darkened eyes and eyebrows. The birds also have darkened eyes, mouths and ears. "2002", "Vamos a Madeira a Manha" and "Sendas" are carved along the front side of the boat. Square notched portholes are carved all the way around the boat. A railing for the deck has been made from bent pieces of thin branches, glued into holes.

Narrative

Field collected in Portugal from the 'Santos Oficios' craft shop in Lisbon. The saying carved into the side of the boat "Vamos a Madeira a Manha" translates as “we get to Madeira tomorrow” but it also refers to a Portuguese saying, said when things are moving slowly, that means “at this rate we’ll never reach Madeira”.

Item History

What

Name
Boat Carving
Identification Number
2796/4
Type of Item
carving
Material
walnut wood, metal, adhesive and graphite mineral
Overall
height 25.0 cm, width 40.0 cm, depth 12.5 cm

Who

Culture
Portuguese
Creator
Joao de Deus Ortega (Maker)
Field Collector
Anthony A. Shelton
Previous Owner
Anthony A. Shelton
Received from
Anthony A. Shelton (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Director's Budget (Funding source)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Sendas, Braganca, Portugal

When

Creation Date
during 2002
Collection Date
during March 2010
Ownership Date
before April 12, 2010
Acquisition Date
on April 12, 2010

Other

Item Classes
carvings & sculpture
Condition
good
Accession Number
2796/0004