Antique South Indian Serpent Canoe as Sculpture

Details

Description

A beautifully crafted traditional wooden serpent or snake canoe from Kerala, South India. With its shallow draft and the fluted … Read more A beautifully crafted traditional wooden serpent or snake canoe from Kerala, South India. With its shallow draft and the fluted and curvaceously-carved appearance of its prow and stern, these swift vessels became known as “Iruttukkutti Vallam”, meaning serpent canoes in the local Malayalam language.

Serpent canoes were traditionally made from the local timber wood of the jackfruit tree, bound with coconut coir (a natural fibre extracted from the coconut’s outer husk) and sealed with fish oil and pitch, which made the vessels watertight and hydrodynamic. This boat-making method dates back to the early 13th century during wars between the feudal kingdoms of South India. Today, large snake boats are raced by upwards of 128 paddlers, which are major tourist attractions.

Provenance: This canoe was purchased through Andrew Frank Interiors, Pound Ridge, New York for a Bedford, NY estate. A slightly smaller example of a serpent canoe (161.5” overall length) was sold at Sotheby’s London: A Private View: Property From The Country Home Of Christopher Cone & Stanley J. Seeger, Oct. 30, 2018, Lot 191; and David Sylvester: The Private Collection, Feb. 26, 2002, Lot 30 (hammer price plus premium: £28,100).

Product Information:
Materials: Wood
Dimensions: 180ʺ W × 18.5ʺ D × 26ʺ H.
Style: South Indian
Condition: Very good antique condition. Surface wear consistent with age and use. Structurally sound.
Shipping: $950.00 (to continental U.S.)

About Us: We curate antique, vintage and high-end, gently-used home furnishings sourced from some of the most coveted and stylish estates on the East Coast. We rent and sell. We ship with care and guarantee safe delivery. See less