#69 • Late 19th Century Haida Painted Model Canoe with Five Paddles
Part of June 2026 Premier Auction (live auction by Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals)
High bid $3,300.00
Status: Sold
Category: Ethnographic Objects
A very large and visually impactful 19th century Northwest Coast carved wooden model canoe, likely Haida, accompanied by five matching paddles. Hollowed from a single piece of wood with gracefully rising bow and stern, the canoe is decorated with hand-painted formline crest imagery executed in traditional red and black pigments. Large ovoid eyes, split-U forms, and flowing lines adorn both sides of the hull and are repeated across the accompanying paddles, creating a striking and cohesive ensemble. The elongated canoe displays the elegant proportions and refined form characteristic of historic Haida examples, while the paddles retain related crest motifs suggestive of clan imagery. Surface wear, scattered shrinkage cracks, oxidation, and losses to the pigments are consistent with considerable age. An old repair or reinforcement is present at one end. Together, the canoe and paddles exhibit an appealing untouched patina acquired over more than a century. The canoe measures approximately 45.5" long × 8" wide × 7.25" high. Provenance: Consigned directly by the Bruce Beasley Foundation, established by internationally acclaimed American sculptor Bruce Beasley (b. 1939), whose works are represented in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and numerous other institutions worldwide. The Foundation is dedicated to advancing the appreciation and study of sculpture and three-dimensional art. 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of this lot will be donated to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, supporting its mission to preserve, celebrate, and share the diverse cultures, traditions, languages, and artistic heritage of Alaska Native peoples through education, cultural programming, and community engagement. Note Regarding Shipping Services: This item is exceptionally large and/or heavy, and may require custom boxing or crating depending on the intended destination and available carrier services. For more information prior to bidding, please email us at Shipping@AlaskaPremierAuctions.com or call/text us at 907.570.7050.
