Spoon

Item number 3260/60 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

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Data
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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.