A leaf-shaped paddle from Buka
1872 British Association address: Let us see how far they serve to support our views as to variation and continuity now that they are put together.… In fig. 4 we have two arms, but no legs, and the head continues much the same as in the two preceding figures. …
Blue book entry [circa 1874] - Patterns consisting of animal and vegetable forms conventionalized in ornamentation 512 - 24 Paddles. Human figure shewing the transition by which the original designs have been lost and gradually converted into a crescent form. New Ireland Part p80
1875 ‘Evolution of Culture’: 'Having noticed one or two allied varieties of design in specimens that came into my possession, I determined to collect all that I could find as they came to this country. In the course of several years I succeeded in obtaining the series represented upon Plate IV. … In the fourth figure [Fig 4] the legs have disappeared [1884.61.33].
Old General Pitt Rivers Label [before 1884] - Printed label stuck to paddle: Paddle New Ireland. Ornamented with a human figure. The legs and body deficient.Both hands and arms raised. The head the same as the preceeding figure.
Delivery Catalogue I entry [1884] - Paddles of the New Irelanders Paddle wood painted and carved 517 Screen 176 177
Written on object [after 1884] - New Ireland PR coll (blue) (517)
Accession Book IV entry [1920s] - 1884.61.1 - 65 Design - Development and Degradation of - 1884.61.29 - 41 Series of paddles with coloured designs to show possible degradation of design New Ireland (Buka type) Similar shorter pointed blade [to 1884.61.30], with plain handle, grotesque figure (squatting)(no legs) in coloured relief [Drawing]
Additional entry - 512 - 524 [1884.61.29 - 41] Blue Solomon Islands Buka formerly labelled New Ireland Buka paddles shewing development from man to crescent in PR coll. First reference by the General is when as Lane Fox he gave an address on Anthropology to the British Association. Transactions of the Sections. In 1872 page 168 paddles of 'the New Irelanders, one of the Papuan group of islands adjoining the one in which Bishop Patteson was lately murdered'. Bishop Patteson was murdered on Nukapu in the Santa Cruz group; the Solomon Group is next and then New Ireland. Distances are considerable. [BB]
Card Catalogue Entry [1940s] - Solomon Islands Buka (formerly labelled New Ireland) 517 Blue. Paddle; short pointed leaf blade with plain handle; grotesque figure, without legs in coloured relief No 5 in series to show possible degradation of design
