Paddle Finial

ClassificationsTools and Equipment-paddles

Date20th Century

Made AtEast Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

MediumWood

Dimensions14 1/2 × 1 3/4 × 1 1/2 in. (36.8 × 4.4 × 3.8 cm)

Credit LineGift of Anne and Long Shung Shih

Object number2019.15.17

DescriptionCanoe paddles with decorated anthropomorphic finial elements were used to navigate bodies of water surrounding the Sepik River. Examples with semi-similar characteristics, including the conical headdress elements, are seen in the Ramu River Delta. There figures also existed as independent charms. Despite having certain animal characteristics, these finial elements tended to represent people, most often mythological ancestors.

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