Carved Soapberry Spoon with Flat Spatulate Serving End (Huklishutl) Item Number: 05.588.7301 from the Brooklyn Museum
Description
This spoon is in the soapberry form of a long, flat paddle with carved design on one end. The handle instead of being smoot like a soapberry spoon is fully carved. It was probably used to ladle out soapberry foam not to make it. Making soapberry foam is done by putting a few tablespoons of berries with a little water into a large bowl and twirling the spoon very quickly back and forth between the hands like making a fire or whisking. As the berries foam up sugar, more water, more berries may be added until it is extremely foamy. When eaten it is normally swooshed into the mouth quickly past the tongue, bypassing any bitter or sour flavor and down the throat for a great treat.
Credit Line
Museum Expedition 1905, Museum Collection Fund
Item History
- Made between 1868 and 1900
What
- Name
- Carved Soapberry Spoon with Flat Spatulate Serving End (Huklishutl)
- Identification Number
- 05.588.7301
- Type of Item
- soapberry spoon, serving, carved, flat and end
- Material
- hardwood wood
- Overall
- length 16.5625 in, width 1.75 in, height 0.8125 in
Who
- Culture
- Tlingit
Where
- Holding Institution
- Brooklyn Museum
When
- Creation Date
- between 1868 and 1900
Other
- Classification
- Food/Drink