Roger Young
display sample collector
Folks at the recent Assembly, held at Paul Smiths College, last week, may recall George walking around with a strange looking outrigger canoe from the South Pacific tucked under his arm. He didn't know a whole lot about it, only that a New Zealand friend had given it to him before returning home. I invited him to bring it to our seminar on model canoes.
At our discussion, it was displayed, and I suggested that this was a Polynesian-style outrigger, and likely came from the area of Tonga or Tokelau. When I got home, I was able to spend a few moments looking through my copy of "Canoes of Oceania", by Haddon & Hornell, the great research 'Bible' on canoes from the South Pacific islands, much as Adney & Chapelle's book "The Bark Canoes and Skin Boats of North America", is the authoritative work for our continent. I was also able to consult with a friend in California, who confirmed my thinking.
Indeed, this would seem to be from Tokelau. The shape and style of the outrigger and the way it is attached, are all clues, along with the overall main hull shape. The treatment of the stern or 'tail' is somewhat unique, sloping down as it does. Perhaps this is a local variation, or maybe the carver was just working with a piece of wood that 'restricted' what otherwise might have been a higher stern. This model is well made and has neatly sewn planks for its hull. A nice little model, all-in-all. Likely made as a cultural replica for the tourist trade, or to be bartered. Probably post-WWII in date.
So, George, there is your answer. I'm sorry, I didn't get your email address before I departed, so am answering here, and also letting any other curious on-lookers in on the complete answer.
Cheers,
Roger
At our discussion, it was displayed, and I suggested that this was a Polynesian-style outrigger, and likely came from the area of Tonga or Tokelau. When I got home, I was able to spend a few moments looking through my copy of "Canoes of Oceania", by Haddon & Hornell, the great research 'Bible' on canoes from the South Pacific islands, much as Adney & Chapelle's book "The Bark Canoes and Skin Boats of North America", is the authoritative work for our continent. I was also able to consult with a friend in California, who confirmed my thinking.
Indeed, this would seem to be from Tokelau. The shape and style of the outrigger and the way it is attached, are all clues, along with the overall main hull shape. The treatment of the stern or 'tail' is somewhat unique, sloping down as it does. Perhaps this is a local variation, or maybe the carver was just working with a piece of wood that 'restricted' what otherwise might have been a higher stern. This model is well made and has neatly sewn planks for its hull. A nice little model, all-in-all. Likely made as a cultural replica for the tourist trade, or to be bartered. Probably post-WWII in date.
So, George, there is your answer. I'm sorry, I didn't get your email address before I departed, so am answering here, and also letting any other curious on-lookers in on the complete answer.
Cheers,
Roger
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