3-ply whale sinew core, nettle fiber cordage wrapping; detachable harpoon head of 2 bone barbs (point missing) each with incised dots. Traces of spruce gum at head of barbs. Original tag (lost) said to read: "Witate JJHVB Pt. Townsend.
Donor:
unknown
Collection place:
Port Townsend, Kitsap County, Western Washington
Verbatim coll. place:
Washington; Kitsap; Port Townsend
Culture or time period:
Makah
Collector:
J. J. H. Van Bokkelen
Collection date:
unknown
Object type:
ethnography
Accession date:
1914
Context of use:
For whale harpoon.
Department:
Native US and Canada (except California)
Dimensions:
length 6.32 meters
Comment:
Conservation: Treated with DDT in alcohol. References: Swan, James G., "The Indians of Cape Flattery," (1869), pp. 19, 20 and 39. Also figure 4, p. 20. Also see "By Juan de Fuca Straits", by James G. McCurdy,p. 108, 124.