canoe maker

More Woodland Auction Paddles

Found 2 stunning antique paddles dated to circa 1860 from the Stair Galleries auction site (May 23, 2009 Past Auction catalogue). Both of these beautiful paddles dramatically exceeded their estimated price value so there seems to be a market of enthusiastic paddle collectors out there.

WOODLANDS CANOE (Ottawa?) PADDLE
circa 1860
74 x 6 1/2 in.
Estimate : $500 - $700
Realized : $1,600
Maple
Traces of red and grey paint. Engraved and stained decoration of top of grip

NORTHEASTERN WOODLANDS (Malecite?) CANOE PADDLE
Circa 1860
5 ft. 3 3/4 in.
Maple
Estimate : $700 - $900
Realized : $2,500
This paddle was collected in the St. John's River area of New Brunswick, Canada. Floral designs are incised on the top.

The two pieces in question were featured in Pleasing the spirits : a catalogue of a collection of American Indian art by Ewing, Douglas C (1982) - plates 473 & 474. Luckily one copy of this out of print exhibit catalogue was available at the Toronto Reference Library where I went to find some extra information. The black and white pics included a closeup of the floral carving details etched on the grip of the 2nd paddle not featured on the auction images.


Basic Floral Etchings on grip
Really dig this unique stepped grip shape, quite different than others I've seen so far and I think this replica will be added to my ever growing "to-do" list of historic paddles.