Spoon Item Number: E 1907.563 from the MAA: University of Cambridge
Finely carved spoon in dark mountain-goat horn. The tip of the handle is broken, but below it are several creatures. In descending order, a humanoid crouches on a raven' s head in whose beak a small animal is clutched. The raven is perched on the head of what possibly could be a seal, in whose snout a transformatory humanoid is represented. The seal is holding the bowl of the spoon within its mouth. The eyes of the seal, raven, and broken creature at the tip were possibly once inlaid with abalone which is now missing. The carving is very intricate and the detail is remarkably fine.; GoodCatalogue card for E 1907.562-3, notes in black ball point, 'Two spoons of black horn: the plain bowls are fastened to to curved taper handles elaborately carved in relief with totemic emblems.'
The original European tribal names and, where possible, current tribal names have both been given in separate GLT fields. I have given this spoon the tentative Haida identification because the design of the spoon conforms so closely to the Haidaemphasis on formline encompassing the whole carved area (G.Crowther).; Such spoons were used at feasts and potlatches, clearly demarcating the elaborate event from the everyday. The crests carved on the handle were possibly those of the owner representing a tangible connection between the lineage and the economic resources consumed during the feasting. The spoons were used for eating oolichan grease, berries, fish roe and fish (G.Crowther).The spoons were made by steaming and shaping the horn.; Exhibited: CUMAA new Anthropology displays July 1990-, drawer A below Early Cambridge Anthropology case.Catalogue card for E 1907.562-3, notes in black ball point, 'Purchased Fentons, Professor Bevan's donation'. This spoon bought from Samuel Fenton, a dealer in ethnographic material, using money from Prof. Bevan's donation to the acquisition fund.