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ID #SA717310
FOR SALE
£575
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Tribal Canoe Paddle Douala Duala Trade Painted Ceremonial Reckitts Blue Carved
Andrew Nethercott Antiques
for sale €673     $730
£575
Andrew Nethercott Antiques

Andrew Nethercott Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jun 2020
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    Works of art, collectables, scientific and decorative antiques from the 17th - 20th century
Id #SA717310
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Tribal Canoe Paddle Douala Duala Trade Painted Ceremonial Reckitts Blue Carved

1900 - 1920
Description

Large heavy painted hardwood tribal canoe paddle, origin Douala / Duala Cameroon.

The dense fine grained deep patinated glossy brown wood painted with fine geometric patterns.

All one piece of wood, the front of the blade is flat the back curved.

Tool marks and rippling to the wood's surface shows hand planing.

Based on colour and condition I would date this piece to pre 1900

Under the geometric painting which is doubtless of some age are traces of previous paint, possibly Reckitts laundry blue, traded or adopted from early settlers to make an ultramarine paint.

Weight 1940 grams, length 5' or 1530mm

Hard strong timber more akin to that used in the making of clubs, the thick large wide leaf shaped paddle end seems too cumbersome for a canoe paddle, probably ceremonial.

Declaration

Andrew Nethercott Antiques has dated this Duala Painted Wooden Paddle to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA717310
Dealers Internal Reference
170923
Dealers Notes

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Shipping / Postage cost is not included in my prices.

I ship worldwide and have much experience in international customs, packing and secure shipping.

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Payment accepted by Electronic Bank Transfer, bank transfer or Cheque in the post .

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Email me

andrew.nethercott@btopenworld.com

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Description
Large heavy painted hardwood tribal canoe paddle, origin Douala / Duala Cameroon.

The dense fine grained deep patinated glossy brown wood painted with fine geometric patterns.

All one piece of wood, the front of the blade is flat the back curved.

fig 1. A carved wooden ceremonial paddle featuring a pointed leaf-shaped blade decorated with polychrome geometric painted patterns in shades of red, green, yellow, and blue above a long turned handle.
fig 1. Tribal Canoe Paddle Douala Duala Trade Painted Ceremonial Reckitts Blue Carved

Tool marks and rippling to the wood's surface shows hand planing.

Based on colour and condition I would date this piece to pre 1900

“
Under the geometric painting which is doubtless of some age are traces of previous paint, possibly Reckitts laundry blue, traded or adopted from early settlers to make an ultramarine paint.
Andrew Nethercott Antiques
fig 2. A carved wooden ceremonial paddle featuring a pointed leaf-shaped blade decorated with polychrome geometric painted patterns in shades of red, green, yellow, and blue above a long turned handle.
fig 2. Tribal Canoe Paddle Douala Duala Trade Painted Ceremonial Reckitts Blue Carved

Weight 1940 grams, length 5' or 1530mm

Hard strong timber more akin to that used in the making of clubs, the thick large wide leaf shaped paddle end seems too cumbersome for a canoe paddle, probably ceremonial.

Date of Manufacture

Andrew Nethercott Antiques has dated this Duala Painted Wooden Paddle to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA717310
Dealers Internal Ref
170923
Andrew Nethercott Antiques
Andrew Nethercott Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jun 2020

Works of art, collectables, scientific and decorative antiques from the 17th - 20th century

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Andrew Nethercott Antiques Profile Page

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A carved wooden ceremonial paddle featuring a pointed leaf-shaped blade decorated with polychrome geometric painted patterns in shades of red, green, yellow, and blue above a long turned handle.
1 / 10
Archive I A carved wooden ceremonial paddle featuring a pointed leaf-shaped blade decorated with polychrome geometric painted patterns in shades of red, green, yellow, and blue above a long turned handle.

Tribal Canoe Paddle Douala Duala Trade Painted Ceremonial Reckitts Blue Carved

Archive II A carved wooden ceremonial paddle featuring a pointed leaf-shaped blade decorated with polychrome geometric painted patterns in shades of red, green, yellow, and blue above a long turned handle. View II
Archive III A carved wooden ceremonial paddle featuring a pointed leaf-shaped blade decorated with polychrome geometric painted patterns in shades of red, green, yellow, and blue above a long turned handle. View III
Archive IV A carved wooden ceremonial paddle featuring a pointed leaf-shaped blade decorated with polychrome geometric painted patterns in shades of red, green, yellow, and blue above a long turned handle. View IV
Archive V A carved wooden ceremonial paddle featuring a pointed leaf-shaped blade decorated with polychrome geometric painted patterns in shades of red, green, yellow, and blue above a long turned handle. View V
Archive VI A carved wooden ceremonial paddle featuring a pointed leaf-shaped blade decorated with polychrome geometric painted patterns in shades of red, green, yellow, and blue above a long turned handle. View VI
Archive VII A carved wooden ceremonial paddle featuring a pointed leaf-shaped blade decorated with polychrome geometric painted patterns in shades of red, green, yellow, and blue above a long turned handle. View VII
Archive VIII A carved wooden ceremonial paddle featuring a pointed leaf-shaped blade decorated with polychrome geometric painted patterns in shades of red, green, yellow, and blue above a long turned handle. View VIII
Archive IX A carved wooden ceremonial paddle featuring a pointed leaf-shaped blade decorated with polychrome geometric painted patterns in shades of red, green, yellow, and blue above a long turned handle. View IX
Archive X A carved wooden ceremonial paddle featuring a pointed leaf-shaped blade decorated with polychrome geometric painted patterns in shades of red, green, yellow, and blue above a long turned handle. View X
Enlarged Archival View
Andrew Nethercott Antiques

Andrew Nethercott Antiques
Telephone 07855 851121
Location
Cardiff
Wales
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/andrewnethercott
Verified Since Jun 2020
Items For Sale 153
Items Sold 725
Andrew Nethercott Antiques
Andrew Nethercott Antiques
Verified Since Jun 2020
View Dealer Info
Location: Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/andrewnethercott
Verified
Jun 2020
For Sale
153
Sold
725
A carved wooden ceremonial paddle featuring a pointed leaf-shaped blade decorated with polychrome geometric painted patterns in shades of red, green, yellow, and blue above a long turned handle.
Tribal Canoe Paddle Douala Duala Trade Painted Ceremonial Reckitts Blue Carved
Ref: SA717310
A carved wooden ceremonial paddle featuring a pointed leaf-shaped blade decorated with polychrome geometric painted patterns in shades of red, green, yellow, and blue above a long turned handle.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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FAQs

Originating from the coastal regions of Cameroon, Duala or Douala paddles were crafted both for watercraft navigation and ceremonial regatta displays, featuring intricate geometric carvings and polychrome pigments applied to the blade.

These objects were typically carved from native hardwoods using adzes and finished with natural earth pigments, organic dyes, or imported trade pigments such as Reckitts blue.

Authentic paddles display evidence of manual carving tool marks, natural pigment oxidisation, wood shrinkage, and wear around the handle or blade edges consistent with age and usage.

A carved tribal paddle functions as a vertical focal point mounted on a narrow wall space, displayed in a tall floor vessel, or arranged horizontally above a console table or doorway.

Dust the surface gently using a dry, soft-bristled brush to avoid dislodging loose pigments, keep the item away from direct sunlight to prevent colour fading, and maintain stable indoor humidity levels to prevent timber warping.
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