Bow Item Number: A2.530 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Cable-backed, recurve bow made of five pieces of wood bound together with cords of braided sinew and strips of skin. A thick band of braided sinew wound with a strip of skin runs the length of the bow on the outer side of the curve. Bowstring is also made of braided sinew.

Specific Techniques

Cable-backed bows are bows reinforced with a braided cable along the back. Cables are attached to the bow at intervals, and tightened once placed. They decrease pressure on the bow’s back, increase its strength, and decrease its chance of breaking. The tighter the cable, the greater these effects. Cable-backed bows can have a variety of profile shapes: recurve, straight, etc.

Narrative

According to the old Museum ledger, Ian M. Mackinnon presented Frank Burnett with this collection of Inuit objects. They were said to have been collected during his years traveling to the Coppermine area, c. 1921-24.