45″ (114cm) long paddle from Austral Islands was sold for £11,800
Three items of exceptional interest from Australasia attracted keen bidding at Lawrences in Crewkerne on 21 May 21. A ceremonial paddle from Austral Islands in French Polynesia (South Pacific) with an elongated leaf shaped blade with intricate geometric carved decoration made £630. The day’s top price was paid for another paddle from the same Island, also intricately carved with geometric designs and in fine condition.This was bought by a collector in Continental Europe for £11,800.
A Maori Tewhatewha ceremonial hardwood club with fine quality mother of pearl inlaid decoration was bought for £1640 by a London specialist. “Exceptional coverage of this sale online ensured that we found determined buyers from the West Country, the capital and from abroad,” said the firm’s specialist, Jeff Day, after the sale. “Online bidding brings in buyers from near and far and we are delighted with the strong prices that we can achieve here for lots of such specialised and unusual appeal.”
