This week in objects conservation: In preparation for opening our permanent African Art Gallery, this model canoe has been in the lab receiving conservation treatment. The 19^th Century model from Cameroon includes 28 figures carved from wood, some of them missing their original arms or paddles. Our conservator made a template from an existing paddle to carve out two missing paddles from a thin sheet of balsa wood. Once carved the paddles were painted with watercolors to match the patina of the original wood. A missing arm was remade in a similar way by taking a template from the figures existing arm and using a putty to make a replica which was then painted to match the color and pattern of the surrounding wood before being reattached. You can see this spectacular canoe model in December when our African Art Galleries open to the public.

Image Credit: 

Cameroon, Canoe Model, 19th Century, wood, pigment, Museum Purchase: Steckelmann Collection, gift by special subscription, 1890.1561