Canoe Prow Ornament and Splash Board
| Origin | Massim |
|---|---|
| Title | Canoe Prow Ornament and Splash Board (Tabuya and Lagim) |
| Date | Mid 20th century |
| Medium | Wood with traces of pigment |
| Dimensions | Object: 18 3/4 × 25 1/8 × 26 3/4 in. (47.6 × 63.8 × 67.9 cm) Overall: 18 3/4 x 25 1/8 x 26 3/4 in. (47.6 x 63.8 x 67.9 cm) |
| Credit Line | Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University |
| Accession Number | 71.13.3 |
| This artwork is currently on view. | |
Among the people of the Trobriand Islands elaborately carved canoes are objects of great importance. These canoes are used to travel between islands for ceremonial exchanges. It was believed that the best canoes would so impress trading partners with their aesthetic beauty that it would lead to better trading outcomes.
Motifs on both the splash board and the prow include geometric designs, birds, and faces which together create a protective amulet to ensure the success and return of the canoe. Because of the important role these canoes play, the master carvers who create them have a privileged place within society.
Meant to be seen from a great distance, the prow and splash board were both originally painted, typically with black, red, and white. As a result of time and use, only traces of pigment remain on this example.
Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.
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"Canoe Prow Ornament and Splash Board | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=71.13.3