Canoe Paddle Item Number: A1599 a from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Painted wood paddle with a design of an eagle lying on its back on both sides of the blade. The eagle is painted in black with white details and red feet. The remainder of the paddle is painted green, except for the end of the handle and a small area above the blade which are in the natural wood colour.
History Of Use
This is a man's paddle. Its diamond shaped blade differentiates it from the woman's paddle which has a round or pointed end, while river paddles are distinguished by a triangular notch cut into the bottom of the blade (see Elmendorf 1960:188-189). Anthropologist Homer Barnett notes that: "Paddles were made of yellow cedar, yew and maple. Those of maple and cedar were painted, the men's being black, the women's red. A smoky pitch fire and oil gave an impenetrable black. Ocher or an alder-bark infusion supplied the red. Practically, the colouration protected the wood and, so some say, prevented the glint of sunlight on a moving paddle (1955:116)."
Narrative
This painted paddle was made as a commission for the BC Arts and Welfare Society.
Cultural Context
water travel; contemporay art
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in Duncan, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by B.C. Indian Arts & Welfare Society before November 1950
- Received from B.C. Indian Arts & Welfare Society (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) during November 1950
What
Who
- Culture
- Coast Salish: K'omoks
- Previous Owner
- B.C. Indian Arts & Welfare Society
- Received from
- B.C. Indian Arts & Welfare Society (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Duncan, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Ownership Date
- before November 1950
- Acquisition Date
- during November 1950
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 3
- Accession Number
- 1907/0001