“Ancient Indian canoe”

I was browsing FB MP today and found this. Probably the most unexpected thing I’ve found on the platform. No clue if it’s a legit listing or if the piece is authentic but I thought it was worth sharing. Pretty neat if it is authentic. Thoughts?

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BJ7EFiVyR/?mibextid=wwXIfr

 

I saw that today too and didn't quite know what to make of it. If it's genuine, it ought to be in a museum. It looks legit.

 

looks more like a trough .......... in canoe shape

the most resilient wood to moisture and insects in North America. .. Ha !!

...NO... Thuja Plicata.....!!



"//
My feeling it's true value is well over $100K and I am willing to let it go at a fraction of it's value if it ends up in the correct place. I paid thousands for it and would like to recover what I have into it.."

Ya...that'll instill confidence !!!!!!!!

My feeling.... the guy wants someone else to make the same mistake he made !!!!

 

Uhh...what's that mean, Komo?
EDIT: Western Red Cedar.

 

Ya...it'll be his for a looong time...at that price, an' in that venue!

 

If he paid 50k for it hes the embodiment of the old saying about a fool and his money ! I saw one like this on an antiques roadshow episode and IF I remember correctly it was only valued at 5 grand or so.
It was pine and this was 2015 but still...https://www.pbs.org/video/antiques-roadshow-appraisal-carved-pine-canoe/

 

If it really is old and carved by hand, it should be worth more but probably isn't. THe size alone limits the market.

 

And to expand a bit, the reason for the $5K canoe evaluation on the roadshow: it is not interesting enough, or unusual enough, to be of interest to museums; and very few private individuals will have any space to put it. I'd think it would be unlikely to sell even at $5K, and you might even have to pay someone to take it away.

 

pre 1485...... I like that !!

 

I would want a whole lot of provenance to justify any purchase price.

 

nahhh, for 500 , I'd use it as a planter in the back yard !!!

 

How, I gotta ask, was that determined?

 

If I recall correctly that’s the date given in the post for the introduction of metal tools by Europeans to the continent. I’ve not verified that.

 

This is the seller's description -

"I just did some research and contacted the proper authorities and found out that this historic artifact is NOT illegal to sell or transfer ownership. 10' long and carved from a solid Osage Orange tree trunk which is the most resilient wood to moisture and insects in North America. Pre dating 1485 this canoe was carved from burning the wood and using sea shells to carve it out which was prior the French coming here and introducing iron to the Indians which was 1485. After that date they were carved with metal tools. The burning and shell carving marks are still very visible and this canoe is in remarkably good condition and could very well be several thousand years old. The front of the canoe has a slight arch to it to cut through the water and the tail has a straight fin to avoid making a wake or noise. This was a feature most likely for hunting to quietly sneak up on prey."

"prior the French coming here and introducing iron to the Indians which was 1485."

I don't think so....... So many things wrong/left out of this sales pitch.

 

this canoe was carved from burning the wood and using sea shells to carve it out

I'd like to see that !!!!!!

 

I would, too...but it sounds plausible, Komo. A bit of fire-char, then a bit of scraping to get down to the wood again...repeat. Whether that process was used on his 'canoe' however remains a pertinent question. I'm not knowledgeable enough to make a credible assessment of that.

 

I would suggest stone tools.... rather than a shell....at least for the hollowing...

 

Same here. Stone tools would be likely.