Mi'kmaq Paddle Art

While perusing through some Canadian art books at a local library, I came across this image by an unkown artist documenting the blunted end style bark canoes and paddle decorations of Mi'kmaq indians


"Micmac Indians"
Unknown Artist, circa 1850oil on canvas
45.7 x 61 cm
National Gallery of Canada (no. 6663)


This image was used on an 8 cent Canadian postage stamp back in 1973 as part of Canada Post's "Indians of Canada" series. A closeup of one of the paddles shows a scroll motif decoration reminiscient of the Historic Passamaquoddy I finished a while back. It's a simple design but quite attractive and I may start using more of these motifs with future paddle art.


Paddle Closeup