Provenience uncertain. Catalogue lists locality as Aleutian Islands, but object was later reidentified as Northwest Coast/Tlingit?.Listed on page 46 in "The Exhibits of the Smithsonian Institution at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, San Francisco, California, 1915", in section "Arts of the Northwest Coast Tribes (Tools)".

From card: "Loan: Crossroads Sep 22 1988. Loan returned: Jan 21 1993. Illus.: Crossroads of Continents catalogue; Fig. 190, p. 157." Identified in photo caption as "Steering Paddle, Haida. Long, broad-bladed paddles were used by the steersman of large traveling canoes. Crew paddles were shorter and more pointed. Designs on paddles related to the design on the canoe, this one being an octopus with long, sucker-lined tentacles. The paddle is made of tough yellow cedar."

S'abadeb-Seattle Art Museum In the traditional repertoire of canoe paddles, there were several styles of blades and handles that were determined by the type of water travel in tended and by whether the paddles were made for men, women, or children. Today, artists replicate the functionality of canoe paddles but use the challenging vertical surfaces to create innovative designs. Bird imagery is often included on canoe journey paraphernalia and in the canoe songs and dances, because birds are symbolic of strength and pride, fitting symbols for these arduous but culture-affirming summer events.

The paint is red, black, and blue.

The acrylic paint is black, red, and white.

The paint is red.

The paint is black and red.