Horn spoon
Horn spoon with a handle carved with four stylized bear heads and inset shell eyes. The bowl would have been steamed and bent to shape in a mould. It is made in one piece with the handle.
These carved spoons were used as part of feasts associated with the nations of the North West Coast of America. At potlaches gifts and food were given away, at feasts food only was distributed. The spoons were used to transfer food from serving containers to dishes. They were made from mountain goat horn, traded from native people in the interior to coastal groups such as the Tlingit and Tsimshian and then on to the Haida on the Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii). The Haida also made and sold them as souvenirs until the raw material became scarce.
These carved spoons were used as part of feasts associated with the nations of the North West Coast of America. At potlaches gifts and food were given away, at feasts food only was distributed. The spoons were used to transfer food from serving containers to dishes. They were made from mountain goat horn, traded from native people in the interior to coastal groups such as the Tlingit and Tsimshian and then on to the Haida on the Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii). The Haida also made and sold them as souvenirs until the raw material became scarce.
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Object Details
ID: | AAA2636 |
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Collection: | World Cultures |
Type: | Spoon |
Display location: | Display - QH |
Date made: | Early 19th century; 1819-34 |
People: | Back, George |
Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Greenwich Hospital Collection |
Measurements: | Overall: 140 x 45 x 45 mm |
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