Nuu-chah-nulth, Ehattesaht. <em>Hand Adze with Blade</em>, 19th century. Hardwood, bear bone, twine, pigment, iron, 4 1/4 x 2 1/4 x 11 1/2 in. (10.8 x 5.7 x 29.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1908, Museum Collection Fund, 08.491.8874. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 08.491.8874_acetate_bw.jpg)

Hand Adze with Blade

Artist:Nuu-chah-nulth, Ehattesaht

Medium: Hardwood, bear bone, twine, pigment, iron

Dates:19th century

Dimensions: 4 1/4 x 2 1/4 x 11 1/2 in. (10.8 x 5.7 x 29.2 cm)

Collections:

Exhibitions:

Accession Number: 08.491.8874

Image: 08.491.8874_acetate_bw.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
This is a hand adze composed of a carved wood handle, bear shin bone blade and commercial twine wrapped around both to bind together. The wood handle iconography has the top of a wolf's head with the upper torsos of a pair of dancers wearing wolf masks. These masks usually come in pairs (See 08.491.8905a,b). According to Culin collecting records the bone blade replaced an iron blade (2908:84). According to Bill Holm, Northwest Coast specialist, the twine is commercial and unabraded which indicates the adze has never been used in this form. The handle shows a wear pattern of the hand that used it and is softly worn.

Brooklyn Museum