Artist:Chemainus, Coast Salish
Medium: Hardwood, pigment traces
Geograhical Locations:
Dates:19th century
Dimensions: 8 3/4 x 8 3/4 x 3/8 in. (22.2 x 22.2 x 1 cm)
Collections:
Exhibitions:
Accession Number: 05.588.7382
Image: 05.588.7382_05.588.7383_Design_scan_bw.jpg,
Catalogue Description: The object is a spindle whorl carved on one side with a human form surrounded by a two headed snake. There are traces of red pigment in the carved detail. There is a theory that carved spindle whorls, as opposed to plain whorls, were used for spining mountain goat wool, the material used to make ceremonial garments. The object is in good and stable condition with no splits or cracks in the wood. The hole in the center is slightly worn and a small section from the rim on the back is missing.