Ornament Item Number: 1947.575 from the MAA: University of Cambridge
Description
The catalogue card states, Fine ivory tusk-shaped ornament,...carved with two copulating creatures, probably a seal facing away from point and a man facing towards it. However the shape of the object suggests it is a spoon handle as below the human face a recess has been cut where the bowl of the spoon could be attached. The reverse side of the handle, below the human feet appears to have been broken, having sharper edges than the rest of the object. This is consistent with the idea that it was at one time a spoon handle. Furthermore the creatures do not appear to be copulating, and the animal is more reminiscent of a bear than a seal (G.Crowther).; Good
Context
Geoffrey Bushnell the cataloguer on the original card ascribes the object as perhaps Haida, probably Tlingit , however it is hard to assert a definite provenance (G.Crowther). The original European tribal names and, where possible, current tribal names have both been given in separate GLT fields.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada and Alaska, USA ?
- Received from Louis C.G. Clarke during 1947
Who
- Culture
- Haida ? or Tlingit ?
- Received from
- Louis C.G. Clarke
Where
- Holding Institution
- MAA: University of Cambridge
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada and Alaska, USA ?
When
- Acquisition Date
- during 1947
Other
- Keyword
- Art; Ceremonial Objects; Food Preparation