Harpoon Item Number: 3128/3 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
East Greenland harpoon. Part a is a long, straight, wooden shaft, squared at the bottom where it is capped with a cut square of tusk, and narrowing along its length toward the tip. At the shaft’s midpoint several holes are bored into the wood, in which are inserted a hook and nubs of bone. The harpoon’s head is made from carved narwhal tusk, its shape long and rounded, thicker through middle and narrowing at end where a small piece is attached. Part b is an intricately designed throwing board. The board is rectangular, thin in profile, and concave on its underside. The base is wide, narrowing to tip where a shaped piece of bone is inset. Along the board’s upper surface are nailed 41 tiny seals carved from bone. Narrow strips of bone line the edges. The throwing board has three holes along the body that allow it to attach to the harpoon shaft by the nubs and hook.
Narrative
Purchased using auction funds donated by Anne Piternick.
Item History
- Made in Greenland between 1920 and 1940
- Owned by Lorne Balshine
- Owned by Susan Rowley before September 10, 2015
- Received from Susan Rowley (Seller) and Anne Piternick (Funding source) on September 10, 2015
What
- Name
- Harpoon
- Identification Number
- 3128/3 a-b
- Type of Item
- harpoon
- Material
- wood, narwhal tusk, bone and metal
- Part A
- height 185.3 cm, width 5.0 cm, depth 3.5 cm
- Part B
- height 55.5 cm, width 8.7 cm, depth 1.6 cm
Who
- Culture
- Inuit
- Previous Owner
- Lorne Balshine and Susan Rowley
- Received from
- Susan Rowley (Seller) and Anne Piternick (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Greenland
When
- Creation Date
- between 1920 and 1940
- Ownership Date
- before September 10, 2015
- Acquisition Date
- on September 10, 2015
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 46
- Accession Number
- 3128/0003 a-b