Accession Number

Cultural Group

Material

Process

Region

Field Collector

Acquired

PRM Source

Dimension

Keyword

Class

Description

Horn scoop with carved bird on the handle. [CAK 19/04/2010]

Longer Description

Horn scoop with carved bird on the handle. The scoop is made from a single piece of horn that has been steamed and moulded into shape and then carved. The scoop is wide, with the long sides and one end being all the same height. The other end extends higher and has a convex curve to it. It is carved with the face of a bird, likely a hawk or owl, given short, pointed beak that overhangs the mouth. The eyes of the bird are large, and the mouth is down-turned and has been carved out. [CAK 19/04/2010]

Research Notes

The following information comes from Haida delegates who worked with the museum's collection in September 2009 as part of the project “Haida Material Culture in British Museums: Generating New Forms of Knowledge”:
This vessel was viewed alongside other horn and wood dishes on Wednesday Sept 9, 2009. Delegates identified the figure on the vessel as a hawk or owl, possibly an eagle. They believed this piece to be old. Delegates commented that horn came through trade with people in the interior of British Columbia, and that today, because of a lack of trading and because of a lack of demand in the art market, there is very little horn reaching Haida Gwaii or being carved. [CAK 19/04/2010]

Primary Documentation

Accession book entry (for 1891.49.62 - .71): From Rev. Ch. Harrison, 80 Halton Rd, Canonbury Sq. N. Collection of Haida objects collected by him.... - [1 of] 10 horn dishes. £45. [Purchase price includes 1891.49.1-110]

Accession book entry [Red numbers] - Containers other than pottery 104 A - L - (104.I.14) Dish for grease and berries, similar to the last [i.e. 1891.49.66], slightly larger, and with totemic face carved on the handle. Haida, Queen Charlotte Id. Obtd. by Rev. C. Harrison. Purchased from him 1891.

No additional information on catalogue cards. [JC 4 9 1996]

Written on object - [on inside of bowl] 104.I.14; [on outside of bowl] 104.I.14 DISH FOR GREASE AND BERRIES. HAIDA. C.HARRISON COLLN. PURCHASED 1891. [CAK 05/05/2009]

Related Documents File - The Haida Project Related Documents File contains video of research sessions and interviews with Haida delegates from September 2009 as part of the project ‘Haida Material Culture in British Museums: Generating New Forms of Knowledge'. It also includes post-visit communications that discuss object provenance. For extensive photographic, video, and textual records documenting the Haida research visit as a whole, including but not limited to preparations of objects for handling, travel logistics, British Museum participation, transcribed notes from research sessions and associated public events held at PRM, see the Haida Project Digital Archive, stored with the Accessions Registers. Original hand-written notes taken during research sessions have been accessioned into the Manuscripts collection, in addition to select other materials. [CAK 02/06/2010]