Spoon Item Number: 3260/60 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Horn spoon with emaciated canine figure (wolf or dog) carved on handle. The canine head is carved right at the tip of the handle, with an extended tongue.
Narrative
This example of southern-coast artistry shares the graceful, overall shape of spoons common to other regions of the Northwest Coast – a wide bowl with a tapering handle – yet is distinct from northern horn spoons in its imagery, stylistic details, and the inward bend of the handle’s tip. Thought to be from the southern part of the Northwest Coast region; possibly a Coast Salish carver. At some point in its journey it became part of a private collection in Scotland, then eventually brought to British Columbia and sold to donor Elspeth McConnell.
Iconographic Meaning
The artist represented a wolf, or perhaps a dog, as though it is emaciated. Animals with ribs showing are also depicted on objects that may indicate a kind of spirit being or crossing of supernatural realms.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada between 1790 and 1850
- Owned by Elspeth McConnell before August 12, 2017
- Received from Elspeth McConnell (Donor) on August 12, 2017
What
- Name
- Spoon
- Identification Number
- 3260/60
- Type of Item
- spoon
- Material
- mountain goat horn
- Overall
- height 14.5 cm, width 4.8 cm, depth 4.7 cm
Who
- Culture
- Northwest Coast
- Previous Owner
- Elspeth McConnell
- Received from
- Elspeth McConnell (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- between 1790 and 1850
- Ownership Date
- before August 12, 2017
- Acquisition Date
- on August 12, 2017
Other
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 3260/0060