Museum object · Slavery and Freedom Objects
Wooden paddle
19th or 20th century
Smithsonian NMAAHC collection
Source catalog description
This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.
A wooden paddle. The paddle has a carved triangular shaped blade. The carvings in the blade are a series of geometric patterns. The blade has a half circle and two parallel rectangles carved completely through it. One side of the blade has a large crack. The tip of the blade is pointed. The shaft of the paddle has a thick hand grip half way between the blade and the grip that also has geometric designs carved into it. The grip of the paddle at the end is also decoratively carved. It has four half circles carved completely through it. Geometric designs are carved between the half circles. The grip is carved into a point at the end.
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Sources & collection details
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗
Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13
Catalog reference: 2017.108.27.2
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