A RARE EASTER ISLANDS RAPA NUI PEOPLE TRIBAL POLYNESIAN WOOD DANCE PADDLE. 28cm high top to ear. 22.5cm wide. 2cm thick, 122 cm long.This dance paddle, used in ceremonial occasions, is called « rapa » in Rapa Nui/Easter island tongue. The major used is during a ceremonial called « rapa ika » magical action for revenge a murder’s victim. The dancer, called « timo ika », used paddle to spell deadly magical forces against the murderer.The paddle is composed in three parts : two flat paddles linked together with a cylindrical handle. The wood in which the paddle is carved is probably «sophora toromiro», important wood in Rapa Nui culture and art. The flat paddles parts are asymetrical : the bottom is a little bigger than the top flat part. But this difference is a source of harmony for the balance of the paddle. The general shape represents a human figure with on the top a ridge marking nose, eyebrows and ending with earrings : human face is drawn in a very refined manner. This ridge continues to the end more discretely than on the top. Torso and abdomen are represented in the same abstract and schematic way as the face. A little appendix finishes the paddle and marks the penis. All « rapa » paddles dance are male. On this example, the appendix is cut.The neck is the long and thine paddle’s handle by which the dancer used it. Unlike other wood carving from Rapa Nui/Easter island, the « rapa » is mute and, like this one, are blind.Face is interpreted as « Make Make » (the Bird God) face and/or an elder man face – earrings is a sign of important social rank.Similar items in public collections :- Louvre-Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi, UAE) : LAD 2019.035- MET, New York (USA) : 1978.412.1571- British Museum (London) : Oc.5848 & Oc,+.2600- Barbier-Mueller museum (Geneva, Switzerland) : Inv. 5702Similar items in auctions :- Chritie’s, June 23rd 2021, lot 5- Sotheby’s Paris, December 4th 2019, lot 10Bibliography :- Douglas NEWTON (dir.), Art of the South Seas, Geneva (Switzerland), Barbier-Mueller Museum & Adam Biro Publishers ; pp. 342-347, in particular fig. 3, p. 347- A.J.P MEYER, Oceanic Art, Cologne (Germany), Köneman Verlag ; pp. 580-591, in particular fig. 681, p. 589- Steven HOOPER (dir.), Pouvoir et Prestige. Art des massues du Pacifique, Paris, Skira & Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac Publishers, pp. 126-133, in particular fig. 16 pp. 132-133- Catherine & Michel ORLIAC, Bois sculptés de l’Île de Pâques, Marseille (France), Parenthèses Publishers, p. 81 ; please note that this book deals with about Rapa Nui/Eastern Island arts- Catherine & Michel ORLIAC, 60 objets de l’île de Pâques dont la collection de la congrégation des Sacrés-Coeur de Jésus et de Marie SS.CC, Paris, Louise Leiris Publishers, pp. 68-69- Catherine & Michel ORLIAC, Rapa Nui l’île de Pâques, Paris, Louise Leiris Publishers, pp.57- 61- Catherine & Michel ORLIAC (dir.), Voyage vers l’île mystérieuse, de la Polynésie à l’île de Pâques, Bordeaux (France), Amilcare Pizzi Publishers, fig 301 p. 225 ; please note that this book deals with about Rapa Nui/Eastern Island arts and cultureWith thanks to the additional information provided by "Nicolas Corigliano, Oceanic Art Historian - Corail & Mana".