Producer unknown to us
Model of an outrigger canoe
Oceania, Micronesia, Marshall Islands
Before 1901
Wood, plant fibers, bast, feathers; carved, glued
Context of acquisition unknown to us
Purchased by the museum from Arthur Speyer (Ethnologist, art dealer) in 1901
Mi 76
This model of an outrigger canoe originates from the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean. In addition to small outrigger canoes, the Marshall Islands also used large seafaring canoes, some up to 15 meters in length. Along with a triangular sail, this boat also features an additional platform above the outrigger, which was used for transporting goods and accommodating the crew. The crew typically consisted of two to three people, with duties rotating among them during sailing. However, six to ten people and cargo could be transported depending on the size of the boat. The speed was typically 5-10 knots, depending on the wind and sea conditions.
Arthur Speyer sold the model to the museum in 1901. Speyer worked in his family's ethnographic trade, selling cultural artifacts from around the world to museums, collectors, and dealers. This dealership background presents obstacles to to determining the exact collection circumstances of this object.
Like other island nations in this region, the Marshall Islands are particularly affected by climate change and rising sea levels. Thus, this boat model symbolizes the fact that many islands may become uninhabitable in just a few decades if sea levels continue to rise. Many island nations are already purchasing land in other (higher-elevation) regions to protect their populations.
Stefanie Bach