Native American, Pacific Northwest Coast, United States or Canada, Tlingit or Haida people, ca. late 19th to mid-20th century CE. This is a large and superb mountain goat horn spoon with a totemic handle featuring zoomorphic heads. The entire piece is a single piece of horn, expertly carved with a bear head, a smaller bear or fox, with a raven or owl forming the tip, all stylized in classic Pacific Coastal manner, and inlaid with nacre shell eyes! This fancy spoon was used on special occasions such as potlatches to show off the host family's wealth, just like European silverware. The quality, use of horn, and number of spoons indicated the family's status and the totemic handles displayed ancestral heritage, myths, and oral histories of the owners. To create shape the horn was boiled until soft then molded, cooled, and finally carved. This is a large and wonderfully preserved example of this form! Size: 9" L x 2.45" W (22.9 cm x 6.2 cm)

Provenance: private Brevard, North Carolina, USA collection

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#170995

A few minor nicks to handle and shallow pitting on bowl, but otherwise intact and choice. Wonderful patina across surfaces.