Canoe Model (Drua), 19th Century
Probably Fiji, Melanesia
Wood and fiber; 3 1/4 x 29 1/2 x 11…

Model Canoe (Drua)

ClassificationsSculpture-models

Date19th Century

Made AtFiji

MediumWood and plant fiber

DimensionsA: 3 3/8 × 29 1/2 × 11 1/4 in. (8.6 × 74.9 × 28.6 cm)
B: 8 1/2 × 2 1/2 × 1/4 in. (21.6 × 6.4 × 0.6 cm)
C: 7 1/4 × 2 1/8 × 1/4 in. (18.4 × 5.4 × 0.6 cm)
22.4 oz. (0.635 kg.)

Credit LineGift of Diana Springer

Object number2012.19.2a-c

DescriptionThe earliest Fijian model canoes in museum collections date back to the 1830s. European sailors were enthralled by the size and characteristics of the full-sized canoes. This interest was caught by word of mouth and eventually many model canoes were made for export or for presentations by Fijian Commissioners at international expositions. Whether there was an antecedent for these models in Fiji is unknown.

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