TOKELAU MODEL OUTRIGGER WOOD CANOE PACIFIC ISLAND WOOD VINTAGE POLYNESIAN BOAT

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This is an authentic, hand-carved wooden model of a Tokelau Island outrigger canoe. I was given this model almost 20 years ago by a man from New Zealand who helped develop the Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa Tongarewa). This man was a colleague of mine when I was a museum curator-- and he gave me this model after working in the US for awhile and decided to return to New Zealand. He got this model when living in New Zealand and he owned it many years before giving it to me since he knew I had an interest in wood boats of any sort. I cannot verify the date it was made but this model may have been made around World War II or shortly thereafter (and perhaps even earlier). It clearly shows signs of age. The photos also clearly show that the model was handcarved (look at the bottom of the hull) and was not sanded or made with power tools. This model is approximately 31" long and shows very clear details that are ascribed specifically to those canoes made on Tokelau Islands. Tokelau is the world's smallest nation (pop. 1466 in 2006) and the majority of Tokelau people actually live in new Zealand. This model is an exact replication of a 5-man fishing canoe that is unique to Tokelau-- and is larger than similar canoes used on neighboring islands. This type of canoe was designed to travel far offshore to catch large fish. All the unusual details read more

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