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 paint is brown, green, red, white, black, blue, and orange.