Solomon IslandsPaddle-axe from the Solomon Islands, Oceania. Part of the Pitt Rivers Museum Founding Collection. Given to the Museum in 1884.

This is a ceremonial paddle-axe from the Solomon Islands, of a design particular to New Britain. The blade is a wooden imitation of a European metal hatchet blade. The haft is over a metre long and ends in a traditional wooden butt plate, carved and painted with a facial design. The colours used - red, white and black - are most commonly used in the north-west parts of the Solomon Islands. In the other islands, woodcarving tends to be monochrome, making extensive use of shell inlay.