Spindle Whorl Item Number: Nbz908 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Large wooden spindle whorl stained red, carved from two pieces of red cedar. The wood grain shows through the red stain. Spindle (part b) is undecorated and tapers somewhat at both ends. Whorl (part a) has a 5.2 cm. hole in the centre. It has four carved tapering triangles radiating out from the centre, dividing the whorl into four quadrants. One quadrant has a darker red rectangular section where a picture was attached. There is a 2 cm. knothole in the quadrant next to this, and a smaller 1 cm. knothole in the quadrant opposite. The back of the whorl is undecorated.

Cultural Context

mortuary; weaving

Narrative

This spindle whorl is part of a larger collection of objects honouring Maggie Pointe, sister of Shane Pointe and Gina Grant. On February 1, 2003, it was used for a memorial potlatch at Musqueam to honour the life of Maggie Pointe and was then given away, as is the custom, to the UBC Museum of Anthropology. On March 18, 2003 it was featured in the exhibit "To Wash Away the Tears," a collaboration between Shane, Gina, MOA and the students of the Critical Curatorial Studies MA program.

Item History

What

Name
Spindle Whorl
Identification Number
Nbz908 a-b
Type of Item
spindle whorl
Material
cedar wood and acrylic stain ?
Part A
height 4.2 cm, diameter 61.2 cm
Part B
height 104.5 cm, diameter 6.0 cm

Who

Culture
Coast Salish: Musqueam
Creator
Aaron Nelson-Moody (Maker)
Previous Owner
Shane Pointe
Received from
Shane Pointe (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
British Columbia, Canada

When

Creation Date
during 2003
Ownership Date
before February 4, 2003
Acquisition Date
on February 4, 2003

Other

Condition
good
Current Location
Case 3
Accession Number
2571/0002 a-b