(page 2 of 2)
 Ladles and
 Horn Spoons
 Food Dishes
and Bowls
Bentwood Trays
and Serving
Dishes
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Ladles and Horn Spoons (cont.)
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This spoon handle refers to two well-known Haida myths. The lowest figure represents the story of the hero Nansimget, who is shown grasping the dorsal fin of the Whale that is taking the soul of his dead wife to the underworld. She is held upside-down in the Whale's large mouth. On top is the Raven holding his beak, in reference to the myth of the halibut fisherman.
Acquired on Haida Gwaii before 1908 for the A. Aaronson collection.
CMC VII-B-719 (S92-4260) |
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This spoon handle illustrates the Bear Mother myth. At the base of the handle, the Bear Father attacks the Bear Hunter while his wife and one of their cubs watch from above. The Raven with a stack of potlatch rings completes the composition.
Collected at Masset before 1894 by Charles F. Newcombe.
CMC VII-B-483 (S92-4212) |
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The culture hero Raven perches on a personified rock at the base of the spoon handle. The Killer Whale at the top grasps a drowned human whose soul is being taking to the underworld.
Collected at Masset before 1901 by Charles F. Newcombe.
CMC VII-B-470 (S92-4204) |
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This spoon handle illustrates the Nansimget story. The large Whale at the base is grasping the hero's wife in its mouth while the hero rides its dorsal fin. The Thunderbird completes the composition. The traditional juxtaposition of the Thunderbird and Whale represents the cosmic struggle of good and evil. Abalone inlays enhance the prestige of the owner of this piece.
Collected from the Kaigani Haida before 1901 by Charles F. Newcombe.
CMC VII-B-472 (S92-4205) |
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At the base of the spoon handle, a large Whale holds a halibut in its mouth. On the Whale's head is the hunter from the Bear Mother story, holding the Bear.
Collected at Masset before 1894 by Charles F. Newcombe.
CMC VII-B-475 (S92-4209) |
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