Bidspirit auction | Papua New Guinea Carved Wood

Papua New Guinea Carved Wood Outrigger Canoe Model - Papua New Guinea hand-carved wooden model of an outrigger canoe, representative of Melanesian maritime craft. The piece features a slender dugout hull with a hollowed interior and a central transverse thwart containing a circular perforation for a mast. The exterior hull sides are decorated with incised horizontal wavy bands and a row of small semi-circular notches along the lower edge. A single outrigger float is attached to the hull via two wooden cross-beams secured with red-orange cordage lashings and vertical Y-shaped stanchions. The wood exhibits a medium-brown tone with a matte finish and visible grain throughout. 2 1/2” H x 11 3/8” L x 6 1/2” W. From the personal collection of Peter Benchley (American, 1940–2006), acclaimed author of Jaws, accomplished diver, and prominent advocate for ocean and shark conservation.