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The popularity of human faces carved on the handles of these work knives throughout the Northeast makes reference to the long-standing tradition of carving human effigies on other items. However, as many of the early colonists came from countries where the carving of human and animal figurines on the handles of knives and spoons was quite common, European influence may have been a possible factor in this art form. (From the Catalog of the Thaw Collection of American Indian Art, 2nd ed.)
ProvenanceJonathan Holstein, Cazenovia, New York
BibliographyMaurer, Evan M. The Native American Heritage: A Survey of North American Indian Art. Chicago: Art Institute of Chicago, 1977. p. 101, fig. 80.
Vincent, Gilbert et al. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2000, p.57.
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. 33.
Culture
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois)
Knife
Datec. 1850
DimensionsOverall: 4 × 6 7/8 in. (10.2 × 17.5 cm)
Object numberT0033a-b
Credit LineGift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw
Photograph by John Bigelow Taylor, NYC
Label TextFirst introduced through the fur trade of the 17th century, the curved-blade drawknife known as a "canoe knife" or "crooked knife", rapidly became popular throughout the northeastern Woodlands. Replacing the Aboriginal hafted beaver incisors and sharpened shells, this knife form, with its optimally designed handle which allows the carver's thumb to provide leverage and guidance as the blade is drawn toward the carver, became an indispensable utensil in Native society. Particularly useful in carving concave surfaces of bowls and spoons, crooked knives were also used in carving frames of snowshoes, canoes, and other wooden items. Although available at all northern trading posts until quite recently, many of these knives were manufactured by the Indians themselves, utilizing old files and curving the blade by means of heating. In this example, the unmodified blade derived from a recycled European style straight razor was used for cutting basket splints.The popularity of human faces carved on the handles of these work knives throughout the Northeast makes reference to the long-standing tradition of carving human effigies on other items. However, as many of the early colonists came from countries where the carving of human and animal figurines on the handles of knives and spoons was quite common, European influence may have been a possible factor in this art form. (From the Catalog of the Thaw Collection of American Indian Art, 2nd ed.)
ProvenanceJonathan Holstein, Cazenovia, New York
BibliographyMaurer, Evan M. The Native American Heritage: A Survey of North American Indian Art. Chicago: Art Institute of Chicago, 1977. p. 101, fig. 80.
Vincent, Gilbert et al. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2000, p.57.
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. 33.
On View
Not on view1825-1850
