Bark Shredder Item Number: Nbz718 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Thin wooden slat or board with long, oval shaped hole cut through near the upper edge forming a handle. There are stylized bird's head at each end of the handle. The lower edge is slightly beveled. There are three incised figures on one of the sides. One figure is a bird, one possibly a whale, the other is undistinguishable. The surface of the wood is dark brown, from age and dirt, and the underlying wood is a yellow-brown.
History Of Use
Shredders are used to soften or break up cedar bark fibres, prior to weaving. The bark is soaked in water beforehand, and some Coast Salish weavers also added seal or fish oil to make it softer. The bark that was shredded had to be thin, and so bark from a young tree was usually used. Afterwards it was ruffled between the fingers, or hands, to further soften it.
Cultural Context
weaving; cedar bark preparation; plant technology
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in Cowichan Bay, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Northwest Trader before December 16, 1985
- Received from Northwest Trader (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) on December 16, 1985
What
Who
- Culture
- Coast Salish: Quwutsun'
- Previous Owner
- Northwest Trader
- Received from
- Northwest Trader (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Cowichan Bay, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Ownership Date
- before December 16, 1985
- Acquisition Date
- on December 16, 1985
Other
- Condition
- poor
- Current Location
- Case 4
- Accession Number
- 1096/0001