Apr 2, 2012
Apr 2, 2012
Apr 2, 2012

Spoon

Spoon

late 1800s–early 1900s

Horn, copper

Overall: 10 x 9.7 cm (3 15/16 x 3 13/16 in.)

Gift of Mrs. Lyman H. Treadway 1924.175

Description

Elaborate utensils, valuable possessions of Northwest Coast noble clans, were used during potlatch feasts. This spoon’s handle features the heads of a wolf and a raven along with a beaver’s tail. All may be crests, motifs that, like European heraldry, were exclusive to important families and referred to their histories and rights to control land and resources.

See also
Department: 
Art of the Americas
Type of artwork: 
Sculpture
Medium: 
Horn, copper

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