Ceremonial Paddle, 1700s-1800s. Polynesia, Ra'ivavae, Austral Islands, 18th-19th Century. Wood; overall: 115 x cm (45 1/4 x 9 3/4 in.). Fine, chip-carved patterns cover the blades and shafts of Austral Islands ceremonial paddles. Squatting human figures carved around the butt are called tiki tiki tangata, meaning man-gods. The shafts of early paddles are usually round in cross-section; 19th-century examples are sometimes square.

---

Size: 1609px × 3400px
Photo credit: © CMA/BOT / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: