Potlatch Spoon

Date1850-1900

MediumMountain goat horn, cow horn, abalone, and copper

DimensionsOverall (at widest): 12 3/4 × 2 7/8 × 3 1/2 in. (32.4 × 7.3 × 8.9 cm) Overall (at narrowest): 12 3/4 in. × 1/4 in. × 1 in. (32.4 × 0.6 × 2.5 cm) Handle: 7 5/8 in. (19.4 cm)

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

Object number1984.458

Not on view

DescriptionMountain goat horn spoon with cow horn handle, abalone, and copper. The mountain goat horn handle and the cow horn bowl of this composite spoon are joined together by copper rivets. The carving on the handle is inlaid with a species of abalone known as "blue abalone," acquired in trade from the California Pacific Coast regions. The figure at the base of the handle represents a bear.

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. 3, illus., 20).

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 back at center: E66

Published References WONDERFUL HEROES FEARSOME CREATURES: ART OF THE NORTHWEST COAST, exh. cat. (Clinton, NY: Fred L. Emerson Gallery, 1985), 21, illus. 20.