**Originally Listed At $500**

Oceania, Polynesia, Samoa, ca. early 20th century CE. A fine hand-carved wooden boat oar known as a "foe" (literally "paddle") with a stocky handle, a diamond-shaped paddle with a shallow midrib on one side, and a pointed tip. Both sides of the paddle end display faint traces of original red-orange pigmentation that would have made it stand out when in the water. Foe were carved from carefully-chosen wood planks to make the structural design as sturdy yet lightweight as possible. Size: 71.8" L x 7.25" W (182.4 cm x 18.4 cm).

For a stylistically-similar example with a blue-painted paddle, please see The Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa Tongarewa), registration number FE005101/1: https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/1330180

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection

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#136421

Minor abrasions to handle and paddle, with one large but stable fissure to paddle end, and fading to much original pigmentation, otherwise intact and very good. Light earthen deposits throughout.