Canoe Splash Board, Tami or Sisassi Island Huon Gulf Morobe Papua New Guinea

This old and well used Canoe Splash Board is from either Tami or Siassi Islands in Huon Gulf Area Morobe Province of Papua New Guinea. Finely carved from a single piece of hardwood.  Literally made to stop waves splashing into the front of a large ocean going outrigger canoe.  It was also like a car hood ornament in that it shown where you were from & what clan you belong to by the designs used on canoe splash board.  The finial is beautifully carved with stylised birds and other clan designs, the front of the splash board has a cross and triangular;ar designs running horizontally. There are 7 worn holes where the splash board was securely attached to the canoe. The back of this splash board also has incised designs.  You can see by the photo above of a Tami Island Canoe where the Splash Board fit.

Dating from the early 20th Century and  field Collected by famous field collector and friend ,Peter Hallinan (1938-2015 )

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