Paddle Item Number: A1558 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Wood paddle that has a fine design carved in relief on the blade and painted in red and black on both sides. Design consists of an ovoid in tapering oval eye in an ovoid with a split u in front; a pair of red and a pair of black u forms below; a split u behind with a four digit claw-like feature with a central ovoid in ovoid below; a u form at either side; a black split u at the base of the blade; and a red split u at the tip of the blade.

Narrative

Raley listed paddles A1539 and A1558 as having been collected in a Tsimshian area. The two paddles have a very similar design and were likely painted by the same person. At some point it was noted (attributor not recorded) that A1539 appeared to be Nisga'a in style?