The characteristic features of Columbia River mountain sheep horn ladles and spoons include a broad, nearly round opening with a flat rim; a thickened flat band running the length of the under surface; and a decoration of bands of interlocking, excised triangles forming rows of zigzag lines. Concentric circles or squares, or geometricized human figures often embellish the surface. On ladles, the band and rim extend upward to form the handle, usually elaborated with a sculpted human or animal figure. (Holm, Spirit and Ancestor, 1987)

The Elizabeth Cole Butler Collection.

The Elizabeth Cole Butler Collection.

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Hayes.

Museum Purchase: Indian Collection Subscription Fund, Rasmussen Collection of Northwest Coast Indian Art.

Museum Purchase: Indian Collection Subscription Fund, Rasmussen Collection of Northwest Coast Indian Art.

Museum Purchase: Indian Collection Subscription Fund, Rasmussen Collection of Northwest Coast Indian Art.

Museum Purchase: Indian Collection Subscription Fund, Rasmussen Collection of Northwest Coast Indian Art.

Bent horn rattle. Horn serves as handle as well as rattle head, curving over itself to make an enclosed chamber that holds noise-making elements (stones?) inside. Holes are bored through head along edges where metal wire is inserted and tied to hold horn head together. One side has some remnants of blue and white fabric wound around the wire. Wide strands of root are wrapped around the handle.

Headdress in the style of a bearclaw headdress, except the "claws" are each carved from sheep horn. Two thick leather strips are stitched together at the ends to form a circular forehead strap. Attached to the strap are 24 long, curved "claws" sewn on at their proximal ends. Each is attached by a nail to a small square of horn. Their distal ends are blunted, and a small hole has been bored through each tip for cotton string to pass through. The string connects the horn claws to each other and to two large feather pieces (lower shafts), as well as to short leather thongs. Thin pieces of sinew are wrapped around the string. A piece of cotton is tied to each side, dropping down under the headdress where they are tied together.