Rare Beautiful ANTIQUE 19th C. HAIDA War Canoe PADDLE

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Please Note: No Bidders With PRIVATE or MULTIPLE NEGATIVE FEEDBACKS A fine antique Haida leaf shaped paddle made for use. An early Haida paddle dating from the 19th Century and once used to power the massive Haida trade and raiding canoes for which they were famous. These paddles were called "aal" in the Haida language and very few have survived most of which being in museum and important private collections.Beautifully crafted from one piece of close grained red cedar this paddle has a unique handle construction with a grip carved to fit the hand, a rounded bar then tapering into a prominent rib which continues down the paddle and which gives the paddle it's strength. T is a similar rib on the other side of the paddle blade. The Haida were famous both for their skill as seamen and warriors and this paddle would have been used for both propulsion and battle, the thin sharp end making it a potent, sturdy thrusting and striking weapon. For the Haida the capturing of slaves and the acquisition of valuable items such as coppers, Chilkat blankets, feast songs and crests the latter two being especially shameful for the opposing tribe to lose, were the primary impetus for coastal raiding. Their great canoes, carved from a single huge cedar log, could hold 50 to 60 warriors and their range extended from Alaska to southern British Columbia. read more

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