Lot 111, Auction 4/20/2026: Superb Early 20th C. Papua New Guinea Wood Canoe Model

$1,040.00

In stock

Oceania, Melanesia, Papua New Guinea, ca. 1930s to 1940s CE. An intricate carved and painted wood model of an outrigger canoe with an elevated fishing platform, rendered with remarkable attention to detail. The outrigger is realistically connected to the hull by twin struts lashed with fiber cord, recreating the engineering that allowed these vessels to ride the Pacific swells with stability. Rising from the edges of the platform are three carved and painted decorative uprights, their diamond motifs highlighted in red and black, each terminating in fish. The canoe’s prow is adorned with further zoomorphic decoration, including fish and a bird, while its hull is incised with more fish among bold geometric and abstract designs, accented with black, white, and red pigments. Such outrigger canoes were central to life in coastal Papua New Guinea, serving as essential craft for fishing, trade, and inter-island travel. This model, with its complex iconography and carefully painted surface, functions both as a miniature of vital seafaring technology and as a work of art. Size: 28″ L x 19.5″ W x 8.15″ H (71.1 cm x 49.5 cm x 20.7 cm)

Condition: Lovely condition with all parts accounted for aside from the upper fin of one of the fish on the fishing platform. Very light wear commensurate with age including some dust (mainly on interior) and light wear to the motifs. Rich patina on wood surface. The outrigger and fishing platform are attached to the canoe body by poles (as would have been the case with a real Papuan ship) which means that they have some free movement and are removable.

Provenance: private Atlanta, Georgia, USA collection, acquired between 2020-2024; ex-Artemis Gallery; ex-private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Aguttes, Paris, France

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