CANOE PROW ORNAMENT, "nzu nzu, Solomon Islands

Chris Boylan Oceanic Art

        CANOE PROW ORNAMENT, nzu nzu, Solomon Islands                                             

This canoe prow is small, but not exceptionally so, with a simple, elegant form. It is late 19^th / very early 20^th Century. It may have been used on a full-sized canoe, but it may also possibly be from a large model canoe. The wear and tear evidenced on the mounting section suggests it is more likely to have been a large war canoe. The carving is very well done, with finely engraved pearl shell for the eyes, but nowhere else is pearl shell found on the prow. The prow has black resin covering the main carved form as is typical of nzu nzu. Where the timber is exposed, on the head and the mount section, it has a wonderful old patina, in a deep honey-colou

$8,500.00

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