Culture Yurok

Spoon

Datec. 1900

MediumElk antler horn

DimensionsOverall: 2 1/4 × 2 × 6 1/4 in. (5.7 × 5.1 × 15.9 cm)

Object numberT0132

Credit LineGift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw

Photograph by Richard Walker

Label TextThe Klamath and Trinity River tribes (Yurok, Hupa, Karuk) were highly stratified and placed great emphasis upon personal wealth, consisting of dentalia shells, obsidian blades, white deer skins, woodpecker scalps, and other ceremonial goods. They lived well, utilizing the resources of the rivers and ocean, and also the forests around them. Like other tribes they made great use of acorns and created twined baskets for processing and cooking them. They had many dances and feasts, at which these elegant elk antler spoons were used by the men; the women ate with mussel shells. (c.f. Goddard 1903, pl.16; Conn 1979, figs. 369 & 370; Miles 1963, p.184) Elk antlers were the property of aristocratic families. To prepare the spoons, sections of antler were cut into flat pieces and steamed until they were flexible. When the spoon shape had been cut out, it was allowed to harden, and then smoothed by grinding. A great variety of shapes was made, but all retain a slender febrile vitality of scale, often with zig-zag stem configurations. (From the Catalog of the Thaw Collection of American Indian Art, 2nd ed.)
Exhibition History"Art Des Indiens D'Amerique Du Nord Dans La Collection D'Eugene Thaw," Mona Bismarck Foundation, Paris, France, Somogy Editions D'Art, January 21, 2000 - March 18, 2000.
ProvenanceWilliam E. Channing, Santa Fe, New Mexico
BibliographyVincent, Gilbert et al. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2000, p.256.

Fognell, Eva and Alexander Brier Marr, eds. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection at the Fenimore Art Museum, 2nd ed. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2016, p. 277.

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