Bow Item Number: A2.532 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Cable-backed bow made of seven pieces of caribou antler riveted together and tied with sinew and hide backing. Thick band of braided sinew cords run the length of the bow on the outside curve. Bowstring 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.
Item History
- Made in Coppermine, Nunavut, Canada and Kugluktuk, Nunavut, Canada before 1925
- Collected between 1920 and 1925
- Owned by Ian M. Mackinnon
- Owned by Frank Burnett before 1930
- Owned by Nina Burnett-Potts before 1953
- Received from Nina Burnett-Potts (Donor) during 1953
What
- Name
- Bow
- Identification Number
- A2.532
- Type of Item
- bow
- Material
- caribou antler, skin, sinew, copper metal and ivory
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved, riveted and tied
- Overall
- height 83.5 cm, width 3.4 cm, depth 9.5 cm
Who
- Culture
- Inuit: Inuinnait
- Previous Owner
- Ian M. Mackinnon, Frank Burnett and Nina Burnett-Potts
- Received from
- Nina Burnett-Potts (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Coppermine, Nunavut, Canada and Kugluktuk, Nunavut, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1925
- Collection Date
- between 1920 and 1925
- Ownership Date
- before 1930 and before 1953
- Acquisition Date
- during 1953
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 51