canoe paddle

Carved hardwood paddle from the western Solomon Islands (?), w/carved stylized faces & concentric carving on damaged handle. Head & carving painted in red & black. acquired by Richard Waterhouse Carter (1824-1866), carpenter aboard Nantucket whaleship YOUNG EAGLE (bu. 1832, Rochester, MA, lost Oct. 1847 off Cape Henry, VA, while homeward bound) during a Pacific whaling voyage, 1843-1847.