Model canoe

Artist Tlingit

Datelate 19th century or early 20th

MediumWood (cedar?), paint

Dimensions26 3/16 × 6 5/16 × 5 1/8 in. (66.5 × 16 × 13 cm)

ClassificationsVisual Works

Credit LineGift of Sarah Ford Miller

Object number1951.31.17

DescriptionWide, flat bottomed canoe with 3 planks across the middle for seating. Canoe is painted in red and black with a semi-circle of green paint at the bow. Designs include circles and ovular motifs, at stern is depicted a creature with large eyes, eyebrows, nostrils and bared teeth and perhaps a fin, possibly representing a killer whale or sea wolf. Designs are identical on either side of canoe. Narrow strips of wood are attached to the rim of the vessel, these strips narrow toward the middle indicating where the paddles or oars would rest. A roughly carved paddle lies on the floor of the canoe-it is not to scale. A figure of a man sit on the first of the wooden planks. His hair, eyes and eyebrows are black and his body and open mouth are red. His right hand is held in front of him with his index finger pointing ahead. His left hand is on his chest. He has no feet.

Miniature canoe paddles with eye design paint on large, flat portion of the paddle. Design is similar on both sides of each paddle. Paddles B, C, and G have red U-shaped designs as the paddle narrows to the handle. Paddles D and E have green U-shaped designs at the tip and red U-shaped designs as the paddle narrows. Handles are thin and cylindrical until very end at which point a cross-grip has been carved. Wood is extremely light weight.

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