Rare Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) paddles linked to Chestnut Canoe Company

Waddington's is currently hosting an online auction of Historic First Nations Art closing on December 5, 2024 at 2pm EST. Included in the collection are three stunning canoe paddles with an impressive provenance. Lot 14 is a pair of Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) paddles featuring extensive double curved etchings on the blades. 

Lot 14

Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) Paddles

60.5 x 5.75 x 1 in — 153.7 x 14.6 x 1.9 cm

Image Courtesy of Waddington's Auctioneers and Appraisers, Toronto

Although one of the paddles has some damage along the exterior edge, the blades are not cracked and intricate etching motifs are wonderfully executed by a skilful hand. Existing paddles with these elaborate double curved motifs are indeed very rare with just a few scattered in museum collections around the world. 

Lot 14  - Closeup of blades

Image Courtesy of Waddington's Auctioneers and Appraisers, Toronto

The elongated handles with graceful scalloped edges are marked with an inscription, "Ida" and are etched with the dates 1898 and 1899 on the reverse sides. 

Lot 14 - Scalloped grips with inscription

Image Courtesy of Waddington's Auctioneers and Appraisers, Toronto

The paddles belonged to William T. Chestnut and his wife Ida and hung in the Chestnut family cottage at Robertson's Point on Grande Lake, Jemseg NB. William was of course one of the brothers responsible for the establishment of the famed Chestnut Canoe Company and was an avid outdoorsman and canoeist well before the establishment of the canoe business. The paddles fit the profile of being carved by nearby Maliseet artisans from Kingsclear First Nation.

Lot 15 is another Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) paddle of a different form and dimension. 

 Lot 15 - Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) Paddle

56.25 x 4.5 x 1 in — 142.9 x 11.4 x 2.5 cm

Image Courtesy of Waddington's Auctioneers and Appraisers, Toronto

The blade features an etching of a nature scene with birds nesting surrounded by a leafy border.

 Lot 15 - Blade Closeup

Image Courtesy of Waddington's Auctioneers and Appraisers, Toronto

The slightly stretched grip bears another decorative etching and is inscribed "W. Chestnut". The paddle shows evidence of some in-water use including a slightly worn tip but is in remarkable condition.

 Lot 15 - Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) Paddle

56.25 x 4.5 x 1 in — 142.9 x 11.4 x 2.5 cm

Image Courtesy of Waddington's Auctioneers and Appraisers, Toronto

These are absolutely fascinating specimens which rarely come up for auction. For more information and viewing of other available pieces, go to:

Waddington's Online Catalogue Historic First Nations Art

December 6th Update: Lot 14 Pair of paddles sold for $9500 CAD or approximately $6770 US (2 bids) with the Lot 15 William Chestnut paddle selling for $2200 CAD or approximately $1570 US (4 bids). Buyer's premium and sales tax in addition to the above.

Historic Paddle Photos: Nipigon Museum

 Historic Paddle Photos: Nipigon Museum

circa 1910 1978.1.1-Billy-Ross

Francis Hardy Nipigon Guides

Gapen-The-Nipigon-River

Muse Kenora 1897-Regattas

Muse Kenora circa 1910 1988.21.13-Bertha-Stone

Book Review: Mike Elliot's This Fancy Old Canoe

Another spectacular resource for canoe restoration has been created by Mike Elliot of Kettle River Canoes. This Fancy Old Canoe is Mike's second publication on the topic following his highly successful and well received first book from back in 2016. This Fancy Old Canoe is set to be released on Amazon on June 3rd, 2024. I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy to review and share with readers here.

Mike's well known Canoeguy's blog has been providing restoration tips online since 2009. His posts have been a valuable resource for folks who have wanted to tackle a repair on their own, especially for those intimidated by the job.  These posts formed the basis for his first book, This Old Canoe, which exclusively focused on wood-canvas construction. These included typical repairs such as replacing broken ribs and planking, splicing rib tops, dealing with rotted stem tips and of course, re-canvassing. 

Having covered these common types of damage and repair, Mike's new book tackles more difficult restoration challenges seen in other styles of canoe construction. As many of these styles are no longer being actively built and have been relegated to being viewed as vintage antiques, Mike appropriately refers to these classic hulls as "Fancy Canoes".   

In particular, the book discusses the various forms of all-wood construction, which rapidly evolved in the region of Peterborough, Ontario. These various "Peterborough" canoes did not have a waterproof canvas exterior but instead relied on precise wood joinery to create a water-tight hull.  This Fancy Old Canoe thoroughly describes how to repair and replace every component in these elegant designs.

With over 400 photos and more than 100 plans and illustrations, This Fancy Old Canoe helps to methodically direct the restoration process and provides a clear guidance to handling some of the more challenging woodworking tasks.

In addition to these all-wood hulls, Mike delves into the repair of other forms of wood-canvas construction that were not covered in his first book. Included are topics such as reverse engineering highly curved stem profiles, steam-bending short decks and rebuilding the long extended decks typically seen on fancy courting canoes. 

Further chapters cover the complex task of dealing with pocketed inwales commonly seen in B.N. Morris canoes as well as additional topics of wide outwales and handling restorations to sponson air chambers. The caning patterns for a trapezoidal seat from a 1905 Rushton Indian Girl is also included as are plans for a wood slat Peterborough portable canoe chair. Even repairs to sailing rigs and floor systems are thoughtfully discussed along with a chapter on applying fancy hand-painted decorations to a hull.

As in his first book, This Fancy Old Canoe concludes with a series of handy schematics for the key components of a variety of historic canoe models. The plans include information on the Old Town Otca,  Thomson Brothers Ranger, Rushton Indian Girl, Peterborough Lake Queen, and a Willits Brothers double cedar hull.  

Collectors of antique canoes as well as folks interested in appreciating the elegant complexity of these watercraft will no doubt appreciate the fine photography and explanations. Those who wish to tackle getting an heirloom canoe back on the water will find these two books are wonderful resources to help overcome challenges and achieve success in their canoe restoration project.

This Fancy Old Canoe: A Comprehensive Guide To Restoring Antique Canoes will be available on Amazon starting on June 3, 2024.

This Fancy Old Canoe: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring Antique Canoes

8.5″ x 11″ paperback

248 pages

more than 400 photographs

more than 100 plans and illustrations

$25.95 USD ($34.95 CAD)

Historic Paddle Photo: Gaspard Picard - Huron

Photo of Gaspard Picard, Grand Chief in Loretteville, Quebec - Huron/Wendat

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Another earlier photo features François-Xavier Picard, Great Chief of the Lorette Hurons from 1870 to 1883.

Historic Paddle Photo: 1872 Mi'kmaq paddles

A very old image posted on Facebook showcases two Mi'kmaq men next to their bark canoe. Difficult with the tones in the background but you can just make out the shape of the long paddle blades. The source identifies the men as John Barrington and John Stevens (aka Big John) in Newfoundland, Canada dated to 1872.

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