Pitcairn Island Wooden Vase

Description

Unusual turned miro wood vase or drinking vessel from Pitcairn Island made by Parkins Christian, a descendant of Fletcher Christian – leader of the Mutiny on the Bounty. The vase is lathe turned and carved with floral decoration and stamped “Souvenir from Pitcairn Island – from – Parkins Christian.” Lovely old surface.
After the infamous mutiny, the crew sailed the south Pacific, eventually settling in the remote and uninhabited Pitcairn Islands. A tradition of making wooden souvenirs, such as this vase, began in the mid to late 19th century when travelers began to visit the Islands. Very difficult to get to even today because of its remote location, shallow harbor and steep cliff sides, Pitcairn Island visitors were offered these unique items first for barter and later for sale as souvenirs.
According to the Pitcairn Islands Study Center:
Christian, Parkins, Australasian Record 44, Oct. 14, 1940, p. 7. Parkins Christian. “Brother Parkins Christian was born on Pitcairn in 1853, and passed to rest August 28, 1940, at the ripe age of 87 years. He was the last male member of the party that came here to Norfolk from Pitcairn back in the fifties, being three years old when he landed on Norfolk Island.