Description (Physical description)
[From catalogue card:] 'Paddle of hard wood with scythe shaped blade and plain handle.'
Event Date
Author: Lucie Carreau

Description (Labels & Markings)
A small square labels with internal blue border glued to the shaft reads: 'A.P.M. / VI.2 b' ['b' in superscript].
Event Date
Author: Lucie Carreau

Description (Labels & Markings)
'O.VI.2.1.M.' ['1' in superscript] inscribed in white ink on the shaft.
Event Date
Author: Lucie Carreau

Description (Labels & Markings)
An old label glued to the blade reads [printed:] 'Maudslay Coll. / [crossed out:] Fiji, 1876.' And added in pencil: 'SOLOMON ISLANDS'.
Event Date
Author: Lucie Carreau

Description (Labels & Markings)
'Z 6324' inscribed in black ink on the shaft.
Event Date
Author: Lucie Carreau

Context (Field collection)
This object was probably collected by Maudslay from the crew of the Daphne, a labour vessel back from the Solomon Islands and anchored at Levuka on the Island of Ovalau, Fiji. Maudslay and von Hügel visit the vessel for the first time on 3 September 1876 (Roth & Hooper 1990: 424) and visited again on 22 September: 'After lunch go with Maudslay and look at a collection of Solomon islands' native manufactures which were brought back in the Daphne labour vessel. A good lot of things but the owner has the cheek to ask £80 for them. We, therefore, pick and spend together some £22 - after having got all the best things' (Roth & Hooper 1990: 428).
Event Date 03/09/1876
Author: Lucie Carreau

Description (Physical description)
Long club of heavy dark wood with a beak-shaped flat blade, slightly incurving towards the end. On both sides, the base of the blade is carved a 'W' in low relief (possibly representing a frigate bird), from which runs a longitudinal ridge all the way to the tip of the blade. The shaft is circular in section with a tapering butt. A very small hole drilled along the upper edge of the blade, probably for previous display purposes.
Event Date 17/3/2016
Author: Lucie Carreau