Charm

Item number 1930.1134 from the MAA: University of Cambridge.

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Data
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Description

Whalebone carved into the shape of a fish, very possibly a salmon. The dorsal fin has been shaped into the beak of a bird, possibly an eagle. There is a hole drilled into the fish' s back which enables it to be hung horizontally. The underside is largely uncarved except for the backs of the fins, and the eye and beak of the aforementioned bird.; Good

Context

The original European tribal names and, where possible, current tribal names have both been given in separate GLT fields.; This object could possibly have been used by a shaman, as a charm, or worn as a personal ornament. It is similar in shape to some Kwakiutl cardboard fish which were attached to cedar bark head rings, illustrated in A.Hawthorn' s Kwakiutl Art (1979, Douglas McIntyre, Vancouver), page 158, fig.291- 293.(G.Crowther).