Potlatch Spoon

Datec. 1850-1900

MediumMountain goat horn

DimensionsOverall (at widest): 6 3/4 × 2 1/2 in. (17.1 × 6.4 cm) Overall (at narrowest): 6 3/4 × 1/4 in. (17.1 × 0.6 cm)

Credit LineTransferred from the Knox Hall of Natural History, Hamilton College

Object number1984.457

Not on view

DescriptionHorn spoon carved with holes for inlay (no longer extant) & carved handle. Spoons comprise the largest category of eating implements common to the Northwest Coast. Carved from wood or steam-molded of mountain sheep or mountain goat horn, the most elaborate spoons and ladles are made from combinations of the latter two, and are sometimes decorated with carving and abalone inlay.

Collections

Native American Art

Additional Details

Exhibition History 1985
Clinton, NY (Fred L. Emerson Gallery, Hamilton College). "Wonderful Heroes Fearsome Creatures," November 2 - December 14, 1985 (cat. no. 5, illus., 21) [published with incorrect accession number, as 1984.460].

Provenance 1984: Hamilton College (Emerson Gallery), by transfer from the Anthropology Department;
? - 1984: Hamilton College (Anthropology Department), by transfer from the Knox Hall of Natural History;
by 1925: Hamilton College (Knox Hall of Natural History), by gift from an unknown donor (research pending).

Markings Marked in ink on bottom of bowl of spoon: E68

Published References WONDERFUL HEROES FEARSOME CREATURES: ART OF THE NORTHWEST COAST (exh. cat. Clinton, NY, Fred L. Emerson Gallery, 1985), 22, illus., 21. [exhibition catalog lists incorrect accession number, as 1984.460].