African carved crocodile paddle likely used for tribal rituals or ceremonies. It appears to have some age to it and is very nicely carved. Approx 76cm long. It is in overall excellent condition. There is a break to the underside of the crocodile's mouth which is not noticeable when displayed from above.
One almost identical can be seen here at the Reading Museum:
"This paddle is from the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. It is carved in the form of a crocodile and was probably purely ceremonial, to be used in dances and other ceremonies. Paddles are valued items in the Niger Delta region, where water is very culturally significant because of its potential for trade and communication, and the local belief in water spirits.
Because of their use in dance ceremonies, ceremonial paddles such as this were considered highly collectable by westerners, first colonial officials and then tourists. The age of this paddle is not known"
http://collections.readingmuseum.org.uk/index.asp?page=record&mwsquery=%7Btotopic%7D=%7BWorld%20Collection:%20Belief%7D&filename=REDMG&hitsStart=39
Please see photos as they form part of the description.
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