

Wooden Maori paddle of tapering lanceolate form, terminating in a highly abstract bust at the pommel. The blade is plano-convex, and is engraved on the two sides in different styles. On the convex side the paddle is carved with a number of spiral and scroll elements, and is inlaid with the remains of four pairs of halitosis shell eyes. On the plane side, the paddle is engraved with an attractive composition of kowhaiwhai motifs.