Collections: Arts of the Americas: Carved Soapberry Spoon with Flat Spatulate Serving End (Huklishutl)

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Carved Soapberry Spoon with Flat Spatulate Serving End (Huklishutl)

• Culture: Tlingit, Native American
• Medium: Hardwood
• Place Collected: Klukwan, Alaska, USA
• Dates: 1868-1900
• Dimensions: 16 9/16 x 1 3/4 x 13/16 in. (42.1 x 4.4 x 2.1 cm)
• Collections: Arts of the Americas
• Museum Location: This item is not on view
• Accession Number: 05.588.7301
• Credit Line: Museum Expedition 1905, Museum Collection Fund
• Image: Overall, 05.588.7301_acetate_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Tlingit (Native American). Carved Soapberry Spoon with Flat Spatulate Serving End (Huklishutl), 1868-1900. Hardwood, 16 9/16 x 1 3/4 x 13/16 in. (42.1 x 4.4 x 2.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1905, Museum Collection Fund, 05.588.7301 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 05.588.7301_acetate_bw.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: This spoon is in the soapberry form of a long, flat paddle with carved design on one end. The handle instead of being smoot like a soapberry spoon is fully carved. It was probably used to ladle out soapberry foam not to make it. Making soapberry foam is done by putting a few tablespoons of berries with a little water into a large bowl and twirling the spoon very quickly back and forth between the hands like making a fire or whisking. As the berries foam up sugar, more water, more berries may be added until it is extremely foamy. When eaten it is normally swooshed into the mouth quickly past the tongue, bypassing any bitter or sour flavor and down the throat for a great treat.