Paddle Item Number: A1562 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Canoe paddle. Flat blade tapers to a point. Remains of painted design in red and green on blade, mostly worn away - soft rope wrapped around shaft for approx. 7.5" acts as a grip. A crooked nail protrudes near the main handle grip.
History Of Use
According to Philip Drucker (in "The Northern and Central Nootkan Tribes" 1951, p. 85): "Paddles were of one type only, maintain informants: they were of yew, with a crutch handle (dowelled on), the shaft flattish at the top below the crosspiece, narrowing and becoming rounded at the grip, then widening to an elliptical blade tapering to a slender point. The form with the very long slender tip type described in early accounts as a dangerous potential weapon is not regarded as a distinct type. The paddles were blackened all over by rubbing them with gum from white fir 'blisters' and scorching them, leaving light-colored areas at the grips and usually a strip across the blade by wrapping these places with strips of kelp stems during the scorching. There were no differences between men’s and women’s paddles, nor was a paddle carved or painted. The proper length of a paddle was from the ground to the wielder’s chin."
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1931
- Collected between 1914 and 1931
- Owned by George E. Darby before 1931
- Received from George E. Darby (Seller) and U.B.C. Class of 1931 (Funding source) during 1931
What
Who
- Culture
- Nuu-chah-nulth: Ahousaht
- Previous Owner
- George E. Darby
- Received from
- George E. Darby (Seller) and U.B.C. Class of 1931 (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1931
- Collection Date
- between 1914 and 1931
- Ownership Date
- before 1931
- Acquisition Date
- during 1931
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 1911/0063