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This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.

Description

Long rectangular tube with rounded corners, drilled hole through centre, longitudinally, and circular human figure with head appendage at top. Head is flattened in side view; raised forehead and nose; heart shaped facial plane with incised, dark brown crescent-shaped eyes and mouth. Relief carving on tube includes arms which are pulled back along figure's side; feet are sticking out 2/3 rds of the way down the tube. There is an indentation indicating legs. Seal on back with raised head at bottom, inlaid round nostrils, eyes and smaller circles behind and to the sides of eyes. Front limbs straddle tube; seal tapers towards back with back flippers indicated by vertical lines and curved lines converging to end from 2 dots. Incised decoration includes; semi-circle line on figure's chest, along this line is a stick figure with arms outstretched between 2 rectangles, one of which maybe an animal; large frontal figure at bottom, below feet is crosshatched with arms raised. Decorative band on at bottom edge on sides and back are 3 horizontal lines; between first and second are triangle shapes extending in from both lines. Arrows on each side. Design worn on side. Few longitudinal cracks, some carving marks and embedded dirt. Head has been broken and repaired with adhesive.

History Of Use

Used for holding needles and sewing equipment. Needle cases are either stoppered or have a leather strap running through the tube's central hole. Needles are kept in the strap and exposed by pulling down on one end. Sometimes ornaments are attached to the end of the strap to prevent it from pulling completely through. Thimble guards may also be attached. Sewing is primarily a woman's task. Skillful construction and maintenance of skin clothing was an important, critical activity. Men made the needle cases of bone and tusk. Such cases are most common along the north coast; Ackerman placed this case in the Western Thule Phase.

Item History

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