Rare Santee Sioux (Eastern Dakota) canoe paddle

 A relatively rare paddle find is now being showcased on Cisco's Gallery. The paddle is described as a late 19th Century design attributed to the Santee Sioux (Isáŋyathi or Eastern Dakota) from central Minnesota. 

Santee Sioux Canoe Paddle

Extra-long Santee Sioux canoe paddle from Minnesota. Carved of birch.

PERIOD: 19th Century

ORIGIN: Minnesota

SIZE: 78"L x 4 1/2"W

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Though the bulk of the Siouan culture is associated with the American Great Plains, the Eastern Dakota were on the southwestern fringes of "canoe country" before being displaced by Ojibwe bands. As a comparison, see this earlier post which features sketches of Eastern Dakota peoples dated to 1851.

Late 19th Century Chippewa Paddle

Cisco's Gallery is featuring another unique antique paddle. Described as a "Chippewa canoe paddle with scroll carving at top", the paddle was apparently found along the Fox River, Wisconsin buried. Found along the Fox River, Wisconsin stuck in the shoreline mud. 

Chippewa Canoe Paddle

PERIOD: Late 19th Century

ORIGIN: Wisconsin

SIZE: 53"; Blade 5"

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The lengthy flattened grip has a simple roll top and features a scroll pattern near the top, created by boring four holes and carving out curved spaces between them. The reverse spatulate blade shape culminates in broad tip that shows evidence of natural wear and chipping into a semi-rounded end. 

Grip and Blade closeups

The paddle features similar design elements to another piece (Lot 723) included in Cowan's 2004 American Indian Art Auction which was loosely identified as a "Great Lakes Maple Paddle".

Great Lakes Maple Paddle,

length = 66.5 inches

Provenance:Ex First People's Museum of the American Indian and Eskimo 

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Antique Woodland Paddle (Nova Scotia)

Here's another antique paddle showcased by Cisco's Gallery advertised as a "Native Carved Canoe Paddle" from Nova Scotia.

Item Number: M579

Native Carved Canoe Paddle

SIZE: 74" Blade 5"

PERIOD: First half 19th Century

ORIGIN: Nova Scotia, Canada

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The upper portion of the blade features crudely carved initials...

For comparison, see the a similarly shape "Northeast Woodlands" paddle  found in the collection of The Museum Volkenkunde (National Museum of Ethnology) in the Netherlands.

Ciscos Gallery: Penobscot style paddle

Another paddle showcased by Cisco's Gallery advertised as a "Native Carved Canoe Paddle". It features the classic Penobscot stepped grip motif and is identified as carved from Birch.

Native Carved Canoe Paddle

Item Number: V69

SIZE: 60"L; Paddle 6"

Comments: Native carved canoe paddle with stylised notching and handle. Carved of birch, much patina from use. Paddle strong but very light.

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