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1884.5.71

Wooden dish comprising an oval bowl and a handle with a carved dog's head with shell (or glass bead) eyes. [JC 15 7 2011]

On display

1884.5.71

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Collection type
Object
Description
Wooden dish comprising an oval bowl and a handle with a carved dog's head with shell (or glass bead) eyes. [JC 15 7 2011]
Long description
Wooden dish comprising an oval bowl and a handle with a carved dog's head with shell (or glass bead) eyes. ?maple wood spoon/ladle with dog (?) head. Eyes are inset with tiny shell beads or white trade beads. Animal resembles a dog rather than a deer. Its ears (asymmetrical) are engraved on sides of head. Well-formed muzzle and nostrils
Date / Period
Date made: Possibly before 1876
Date collected
?Prior to 1876
Acquisition information
Donated: 1884
Materials and processes
Material Wood Plant, Material Shell, Material Bead, Material Glass, Process Carved, Process Inlaid
Dimensions
Length: max 130 mm, Width: max 110 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1884.5.71 PR Cat other PR nos: 3712
Research and responses

This object was examined on 12 July 2011 by Professor Steven Hooper (Director, Sainsbury Research Unit for the Arts of Africa, Oceania & the Americas, University of East Anglia) as part of the work of the AHRC-funded project 'Fijian Art: Political Power, Sacred Value, Social Transformation and Collecting Since the 18th Century' (2011-2014). His notes (supplied on 27 July 2011 by Katrina Talei Igglesden (Administrative Assistant on the project)) read: ‘Accession Number: 1884.5.71; General Notes: Rockies/NW Plains of North America? ?maple wood spoon/ladle with dog (?) head. Eyes are inset with tiny shell beads or white trade beads. Animal resembles a dog rather than a deer. Its ears (asymmetrical) are engraved on sides of head. Well-formed muzzle and nostrils.’ (See correspondence in RDF: Researchers: 'Fijian Art' Project (2011-2014).) [JC 27 7 2011]

Professor Ruth Phillips, Carleton University, commented on this object: 'I think this could definitely be northeastern woodlands [of North America], and of an early type. The wide shallow circular shape of the bowl and the way the glass beads are inlaid for the eyes fits a 17th -18th c type that persisted into the early contact period. In a number of cases the added ornamental shaping of the handle seems to reflect the forms of European silver and pewter containers of various kinds (porringers, ladles) to which people had become accustomed. For example, the ladle in the Jasper Grant collection (1800-1809) clearly imitates a European metal form. I’ve also always been fascinated by the same kind of inlay on Middle Woodland archaeological pipes etc.' She noted that the animal might be a dog but could also be a seal or beaver. [15 July 2011] [LPeers 7 June 2013]

Dr David Penney commented: 'The flaring shape of the lower part of the handle reminds me of Michigan Ottawa, as does the wide oval shape of the bowl.' [15 July 2011] [LPeers 7 June 2013)

Search terms: Food and Drink, Figure, Spoon, Food Accessory, Animal Figure