Kayak model

Museum number:
2-2075
Permalink:
ark:/21549/hm21020002075
Accession number:
Acc.46
Description:
Wood frame, rawhide cover, single hatch, in Aleut an íqyax’. 2 pieces of bone are used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim. Fixtures include: 1 wood float with zoomorphic shape, details in red paint; 1 boat hook with wood hook; 1 boat hook with ivory hook; 1 mat with wood slats; 1 double bladed paddle; 2 single bladed paddles with crossbar handles and red painted geometric design; 2 harpoons with ivory foreshaft and point; 1 spear with black painted point; 1 harpoon with flint tip in ivory point.
Donor:
Phoebe Apperson Hearst
Collection place:
Norton Sound, Nome Borough, Alaska
Verbatim coll. place:
Alaska
Culture or time period:
Norton Sound Eskimo
Collector:
Charles L. Hall
Collection date:
ca. 1895
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Kayaks and Models (concepts)
Function:
1.4 Transportation
Accession date:
August 12, 1902
Context of use:
This is a Norton Sound-type kayak characterized by the slotted hand grip at the stern and the very narrow opened grip at the bow. As with many other parts in coastal Alaska, kayaks were used to hunt seals, sea otters, and fish. Up to four people could fit in this kayak, two sitting upright back-to-back and two (usually children) lying down, one on each side. Should people not fill up the great deal of space the Norton Sound kayak has to offer, cargo stored in the interior often accompanied smaller groups or solo travellers. Kayaks could be tied together to keep more than four people in the same place. The waters around the mouth of the Yukon River could be rough, but a smooth exterior, sturdy skeleton, and holding the grip at the bow eased travelling in tough conditions. The skeleton is traditionally made from driftwood and the exterior from split walrus or seal hide. Kayaks were exclusively propelled by paddles or oars, though motors were introduced in the 1910s.
Department:
Native US and Canada (except California)
Dimensions:
length 68 centimeters
Comment:
References: cf. Adney and Chapelle, p. 200, fig. 182 for Norton Sound kayaks. cf. Zimmerly, David W. "Qajaq: Kayaks of Siberia and Alaska." (1986). Sturtevant, William C. Handbook of North American Indians. Edited by Warren L. D’Azevedo, David Damas, June Helm, Robert F. Heizer, Alfonso Ortiz, Wilcomb E. Washburn, Wayne Suttles, Ives Goddard, Deward E. Walker, Raymond J. DeMallie, Raymond D. Fogelson, Douglas H. Ubelaker, and Garrick A. Bailey. Vol. 5. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution, 1984.
Images:
Hearst Museum object 1 of 7 titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2075, described as Wood frame, rawhide cover, single hatch, in Aleut an íqyax’. 2 pieces of bone are used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim. Fixtures include: 1 wood float with zoomorphic shape, details in red paint; 1 boat hook with wood hook; 1 boat hook with ivory hook; 1 mat with wood slats; 1 double bladed paddle; 2 single bladed paddles with crossbar handles and red painted geometric design; 2 harpoons with ivory foreshaft and point; 1 spear with black painted point; 1 harpoon with flint tip in ivory point.Hearst Museum object 2 of 7 titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2075, described as Wood frame, rawhide cover, single hatch, in Aleut an íqyax’. 2 pieces of bone are used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim. Fixtures include: 1 wood float with zoomorphic shape, details in red paint; 1 boat hook with wood hook; 1 boat hook with ivory hook; 1 mat with wood slats; 1 double bladed paddle; 2 single bladed paddles with crossbar handles and red painted geometric design; 2 harpoons with ivory foreshaft and point; 1 spear with black painted point; 1 harpoon with flint tip in ivory point.Hearst Museum object 3 of 7 titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2075, described as Wood frame, rawhide cover, single hatch, in Aleut an íqyax’. 2 pieces of bone are used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim. Fixtures include: 1 wood float with zoomorphic shape, details in red paint; 1 boat hook with wood hook; 1 boat hook with ivory hook; 1 mat with wood slats; 1 double bladed paddle; 2 single bladed paddles with crossbar handles and red painted geometric design; 2 harpoons with ivory foreshaft and point; 1 spear with black painted point; 1 harpoon with flint tip in ivory point.Hearst Museum object 4 of 7 titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2075, described as Wood frame, rawhide cover, single hatch, in Aleut an íqyax’. 2 pieces of bone are used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim. Fixtures include: 1 wood float with zoomorphic shape, details in red paint; 1 boat hook with wood hook; 1 boat hook with ivory hook; 1 mat with wood slats; 1 double bladed paddle; 2 single bladed paddles with crossbar handles and red painted geometric design; 2 harpoons with ivory foreshaft and point; 1 spear with black painted point; 1 harpoon with flint tip in ivory point.Hearst Museum object 5 of 7 titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2075, described as Wood frame, rawhide cover, single hatch, in Aleut an íqyax’. 2 pieces of bone are used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim. Fixtures include: 1 wood float with zoomorphic shape, details in red paint; 1 boat hook with wood hook; 1 boat hook with ivory hook; 1 mat with wood slats; 1 double bladed paddle; 2 single bladed paddles with crossbar handles and red painted geometric design; 2 harpoons with ivory foreshaft and point; 1 spear with black painted point; 1 harpoon with flint tip in ivory point.Hearst Museum object 6 of 7 titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2075, described as Wood frame, rawhide cover, single hatch, in Aleut an íqyax’. 2 pieces of bone are used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim. Fixtures include: 1 wood float with zoomorphic shape, details in red paint; 1 boat hook with wood hook; 1 boat hook with ivory hook; 1 mat with wood slats; 1 double bladed paddle; 2 single bladed paddles with crossbar handles and red painted geometric design; 2 harpoons with ivory foreshaft and point; 1 spear with black painted point; 1 harpoon with flint tip in ivory point.Hearst Museum object 7 of 7 titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2075, described as Wood frame, rawhide cover, single hatch, in Aleut an íqyax’. 2 pieces of bone are used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim. Fixtures include: 1 wood float with zoomorphic shape, details in red paint; 1 boat hook with wood hook; 1 boat hook with ivory hook; 1 mat with wood slats; 1 double bladed paddle; 2 single bladed paddles with crossbar handles and red painted geometric design; 2 harpoons with ivory foreshaft and point; 1 spear with black painted point; 1 harpoon with flint tip in ivory point.
Legacy documentation:
Documentation associated with Hearst Museum object titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2075, described as Wood frame, rawhide cover, single hatch, in Aleut an íqyax’. 2 pieces of bone are used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim. Fixtures include: 1 wood float with zoomorphic shape, details in red paint; 1 boat hook with wood hook; 1 boat hook with ivory hook; 1 mat with wood slats; 1 double bladed paddle; 2 single bladed paddles with crossbar handles and red painted geometric design; 2 harpoons with ivory foreshaft and point; 1 spear with black painted point; 1 harpoon with flint tip in ivory point.Documentation associated with Hearst Museum object titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2075, described as Wood frame, rawhide cover, single hatch, in Aleut an íqyax’. 2 pieces of bone are used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim. Fixtures include: 1 wood float with zoomorphic shape, details in red paint; 1 boat hook with wood hook; 1 boat hook with ivory hook; 1 mat with wood slats; 1 double bladed paddle; 2 single bladed paddles with crossbar handles and red painted geometric design; 2 harpoons with ivory foreshaft and point; 1 spear with black painted point; 1 harpoon with flint tip in ivory point.Documentation associated with Hearst Museum object titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2075, described as Wood frame, rawhide cover, single hatch, in Aleut an íqyax’. 2 pieces of bone are used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim. Fixtures include: 1 wood float with zoomorphic shape, details in red paint; 1 boat hook with wood hook; 1 boat hook with ivory hook; 1 mat with wood slats; 1 double bladed paddle; 2 single bladed paddles with crossbar handles and red painted geometric design; 2 harpoons with ivory foreshaft and point; 1 spear with black painted point; 1 harpoon with flint tip in ivory point.

Tools