Maori hoe paddle - Lot 56

Maori hoe paddle New Zealand, Polynesia Wood 19th century or earlier H. 136 cm Provenance: former Samuel Dubiner collection, Israe¨l (1914-1993) Exhibition: "Connoisseur of Cultures: Israeli and Tribal Art from the Collections of Sam Dubiner", The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, July 1 - October 28, 1997 This Hoe paddle is devoid of carved decoration and features a superb ripple on the shaft. Captain James Cook wrote in his travel diaries (1769-1779): "The paddles (Maori Hoe) are small, light and carefully made, the blade being oval, or rather of a shape resembling a large leaf, pointed at the bottom, wider in the middle and gradually tapering towards the top of the shaft (...). Using these oars, they propel their boats with astonishing speed." The purity and form of this Maori paddle are similar to an example in the collections of the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum (National Museum of New Zealand) in Wellington (inventory ME017119). Superb patina, great elegance and fluidity of form. Condition report: A few scratches, superb patina, lower end broken.