Ɵ War Canoe Hoe Paddle, Maori, New Zealand Circa... Lot 17

Ɵ War Canoe Hoe Paddle, Maori, New Zealand Circa 1800 Wood H.161.3 cm - w. 14.9 cm - P. 7 cm War Canoe Hoe Paddle, Maori, New Zealand Circa 1800 H. 63 1/2 in - w. 5 7/8 - W. 2 3/4 in Provenance: - Wayne Heathcote Gallery - Private Collection This exceptional paddle called the Hoe, from a major war canoe, has a long, thin blade, a long cylindrical shaft with smooth curves, and a sculptured gymnast handle at the end of the shaft. This openwork sculpture manaia, entirely scarified, with the head turned upwards and the back nicely curved, gives all its importance to this paddle. Very beautiful reddish-brown patina. It is likely that this paddle belongs to the Te Pua Waitanga period (1500-1800) and originated in the Taranaki region in the southwest of the North Island.