Spoon Item Number: A8109 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Horn spoon with elongated bowl which curves upwards to become the handle. The tip of the horn has been bent downwards creating a finial for the handle. The bowl of the spoon is an opaque yellowish-brown colour with dark brown striations. The handle is dark brown. The exterior of the spoon has a rough texture.
History Of Use
Along the Northwest Coast, in general, undecorated spoons of wood and horn were used in everyday life, while more elaborately carved versions were used on special occasions. Horn spoons were often passed down in families as heirlooms, such spoons are generally darker in colour than those of recent manufacture. The bowls of these spoons are too large to place in the mouth, so food is sipped from the sides or the end.
Cultural Context
household utensil; domestic
Specific Techniques
Niblack notes that: "The bowl [of the horn spoon] comes from the largest part; the handle runs the full length to the tip, and afterwards is straightened out by steaming in a wooden mould made in two pieces, and scored out inside to the required shape (1970:318)."
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in Duncan, British Columbia, Canada between 1950 and 1962
- Owned by Mrs. Archie Alexander
- Owned by Edith Bevan Cross before July 30, 1962
- Received from Edith Bevan Cross (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) on July 30, 1962
What
Who
- Culture
- Coast Salish: Quwutsun'
- Previous Owner
- Mrs. Archie Alexander and Edith Bevan Cross
- Received from
- Edith Bevan Cross (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Duncan, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Collection Date
- between 1950 and 1962
- Ownership Date
- before July 30, 1962
- Acquisition Date
- on July 30, 1962
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 7
- Accession Number
- 0081/0027 b