Collections: Arts of the Americas: Carved Spoon with Five Animal Heads

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Carved Spoon with Five Animal Heads

Every Northwest Coast family had a supply of spoons. Those for common household purposes were of the same shape and materials as feast spoons, though undecorated. Feast spoons such as this example were brought out, in the same way as fine china or best silverware in other cultures, when a family gave a celebratory feast or when visitors arrived from another village. The number of feast spoons was determined by the magnificence of the feast the family could afford. This Haida spoon was delicately carved from a single piece of goat horn and decorated with five animal heads, each with abalone-shell eyes. Before carving, the horn was steamed until pliable, bent into shape, and cooled in a mold.

• Culture: Haida, Native American
• Medium: Horn, mother of pearl
• Geographical Locations:
  • Possible place made: Canada
  • Possible place made: USA
• Dates: late 19th-early 20th century
• Dimensions: 7 1/2 x 1 15/16 in. (19 x 4.9cm)
• Collections: Arts of the Americas
• Museum Location: This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
• Accession Number: 52.4.3a
• Credit Line: Gift of Elizabeth Achelis
• Image: Overall, 52.4.3_acetate_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Haida (Native American). Carved Spoon with Five Animal Heads, late 19th-early 20th century. Horn, mother of pearl, 7 1/2 x 1 15/16 in. (19 x 4.9cm) . Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Elizabeth Achelis, 52.4.3a (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 52.4.3_acetate_bw.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: This spoon is carved in one piece. The handle has five animal heads, very deeply carved and standing out along the handle. All the animals have abalone shell eyes.