Dance paddle (Kaidiba)

early 20th century

Frigate birds and aquatic elements form interlocking spirals on this dance paddle. Long downward-curving beaks, tails, waves and pools all dissolve into elegant scrolls that are almost, but not precisely, symmetrical. paddles were brought out for ceremonies to mark harvests, canoe launchings and war preparations. Dancers twirled them in circular movements, echoing the curves in the patterns and matching the rhythms made by hand and finger drums.

Wood, polychrome

10 1/2 x 3/4 x 29 3/8 in. (26.67 x 1.91 x 74.6cm)

Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection

57.158

Provenance: J.J. Klejman to SAM 1957, Eugene Fuller Collection

Not currently on view

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