Canoe Splashboard

Cleveland Museum of Art

Large, wooden, canoe splashboard by an unidentified Maori artist. The piece has a wide, flat top with two protruding sections on either side. The top section features intricate carvings of curved lines, spirals, and geometric shapes. The center of the piece has a symmetrical design with vertical lines and curved motifs. The background of the image is a gradient gray, transitioning from dark at the top to light at the bottom. The object casts a shadow on the surface below it. The overall shape resembles a shield or a decorative panel.