Ladle Item Number: A4489 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Ladle with leaf-shaped bowl and long narrow handle. Handle has a squared end. A greasy residue is present on the exterior of the bowl and inside the bowl near the handle. The back of the ladle is a reddish-brown but the front has darkened with use.
History Of Use
Ladles are used for serving food, and this one with its greasy residue was likely used for serving oil. Fish oil was a traditional staple in the Coast Salish diet. Homer Barnett, for example, notes that: "the regular diet consisted of dried foods, principally salmon, clams and fish eggs, all of which were dipped in seal, porpoise, or fish oil (1955:60). " He adds that: "the blubber of fish was boiled until the oil was released and floated on the surface of the water. It was then skimmed off with ladles and when cool put into the stomach sacks of seals or sea lions for storage (1955:61)." Eulachon, a fish prized along the Pacific Northwest for its oil, was available only along the Squamish and Homathko rivers. "The Comox and the Pentlatch [of eastern Vancouver Island] used the oil of this fish but had to obtain it by trade with groups to the north. The others did without it (1955:67)."
Cultural Context
household utensil; domestic
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Union College before July 1960
- Received from Union College (Donor) during July 1960
What
Who
- Culture
- Coast Salish
- Previous Owner
- Union College
- Received from
- Union College (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
When
- Ownership Date
- before July 1960
- Acquisition Date
- during July 1960
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 7
- Accession Number
- 0025/0015