Fragment: Leister Item Number: Na1047 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Straight piece with a metal spike at top, forming reverse angle barb. Base of piece cut on diagonal and curves outwards with a lip on the outside.

History Of Use

Part of a leister, two or three prongs would be sinew-lashed at angles around end of a shaft, one spike protruding from centre. Sinew provides elasticity when fish are speared. Fish is impaled on prong's barbs and the barbs' angles keep fish from slipping off once speared.

Cultural Context

fishing

Item History

What

Name
Fragment: Leister
Identification Number
Na1047
Type of Item
leister
Material
metal and musk ox horn
Manufacturing Technique
carved, nailed and bent
Overall
height 31.5 cm, width 7.0 cm, depth 2.7 cm

Who

Culture
Inuit
Previous Owner
Joy Eastman
Received from
Joy Eastman (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Nunavut, Canada

When

Creation Date
before 1940
Collection Date
before 1940
Ownership Date
before January 16, 1985
Acquisition Date
on January 16, 1985

Other

Condition
fair
Accession Number
1021/0034