Description

Horn dish with bird head carved at one end. [CAK 19/04/2010]

Longer Description

Horn dish with bird head carved at one end. This scoop-shaped vessel is made from a single piece of horn that has been steamed, moulded and carved into shape. The vessel is wide and shallow. One end extends upward to form a handle that is carved on the exterior with the face of a bird. The bird has large eyes and a beak that extends over its mouth. [CAK 19/04/2010]

Research Notes

Although listed as a dish, this object is likely the ladle for a spoon given its overall shape, lack of flat bottom, and slightly taller, curved end where a handle may be attached. [CAK 05/05/2009]
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 object was viewed alongside other horn and wood vessels on Wednesday Sept 9, 2009. No information about this particular vessel was recorded from delegates. [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]

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

Written on object - [in pencil on inside of bowl] C. Harrison coll 1891; [in pencil on outside of bowl] Haida Harrison coll 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]