Pitt Rivers Museum - Two Woodland Paddles circa 1858

The Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford has quite the collection of ethnographic items from around the globe. Their main display hall is quite the feast for the eyes!

Pitt Rivers Museum

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Credit: Charlotte-Brown.com

While perusing some of the online photos folks have taken of this interesting place, I noticed a full sized bark canoe tucked onto an upper shelf (top left of photo above). I believe this is the canoe that Elspeth Soper posted on her blog during her visit to the museum back in 2015. However there were no mentions of paddles. With this canoe display appear to be two full sized paddles leaning up against the hull.

Another cropped photo sourced below showcases one of the paddles with its willow leaf style blade.

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Credit: TheManyAdventuresofLaurenceandAppu.com

I believe this might be item  1886.1.866 posted about before which features an slightly indented grip face and drip ring.

Canoe Paddle -  1886.1.866

Cultural Group: NE ?Subarctic ?Woodlands E Algonquian

Dimensions: Max L = 1945 mm Max W of blade = 164 mm

When Collected: On or before 1858 Acquired: Transferred 17 February 1886

 © Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford
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But another cropped shot from a large wide angle photo of the whole display area shows a second paddle leaning against the hull...

Original Photo Source

Credit:  MedievalMosaic.com

The second paddle might be item  1886.1.867 which seems to have a bulkier grip and thicker shaft but a similar blade shape with raised centre ridge...

Canoe Paddle -  1886.1.867

Cultural Group: NE ?Subarctic ?Woodlands E Algonquian Local Name: Unknown.

Dimensions: Max L = 1710 mm Max W of blade = 160 mm

When Collected: On or before 1858 Acquired: Transferred 17 February 1886

 © Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

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