Monday, July 27, 2020

PEM: Model Canoe and paddles (1878)

Another model canoe in the collection of the Peabody Essex Museum is attributed to  Jo Polis, the famed Penobscot who guided Thoreau in 1857 journey in the Maine interior. The model is dated to 1878 and features decorative winter bark etchings and two paddles consistent with the Penobscot carving tradition.

Penobscot Artist
Model canoe, 1878
Wood, birchbark, plant fiber
Maine, Northeastern United States
L: 38 1/2 in, W: 7 5/8 in, D: 6 1/2 in (L: 97.8 cm, W: 19.4 cm, D: 16.5 cm)
Gift of Mr. Edward S. Moseley, 1979
E28528
Work attributed to Joe Polis (also known as Jo Polis)

This birchbark canoe was made for sale in Old Town, Maine in August, 1878, during the height of the summer season, when tourists bought souvenirs such as this en masse. The exterior of the canoe is decorated with lovely scrolling curve and floral motifs, while the bottom depicts a winter scene with a hunter, a moose, and a clumsy snowshoer.
 INSCRIPTION
The inscription on the bottom reads, "Akist 24, 1878, O. T. Me Moose". This can be understood to mean "August 24, 1878, Old Town, Maine, Moose."
 DESCRIPTION
This is a birch bark canoe model with two paddles and one fishing spear. There are five thwarts in the canoe, the center one is decoratively carved. The outer surface of the canoe is ornamented with double curve and floral motif designs etched on the bark. There is an etched narrative scene on the bottom of the canoe depicting two men, wearing snow shoes, hunting a moose. One of the men has comedically fallen over. The artist has etched his name in the bottom with the narrative scene. Likely made by Jo Polis, according to scholar Joan Lester.



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