Kayak model

Museum number:
2-2084
Permalink:
ark:/21549/hm21020002084
Accession number:
Acc.46
Description:
Single hatch, in Aleut íqyax’, wood frame, rawhide cover. 4 ivory rests looped through thongs attached to forward deck; 2 bone pieces used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim; 1 spear thrower, ivory with 2 lines incised and darkened with red paint on one side; 1 wood float, zoomorphic shape with features painted red and feathered tail attached; 1 boat hook with bone spur; 1 mat, slated wood; 2 double bladed paddles; 1 harpoon with ivory foreshaft; 1 spear with metal blade. 1 paddle single blade.
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)
Comment:
References: cf. Adney and Chapelle, p. 200 and fig. 128 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 14 titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2084, described as Single hatch, in Aleut íqyax’, wood frame, rawhide cover. 4 ivory rests looped through thongs attached to forward deck; 2 bone pieces used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim; 1 spear thrower, ivory with 2 lines incised and darkened with red paint on one side; 1 wood float, zoomorphic shape with features painted red and feathered tail attached; 1 boat hook with bone spur; 1 mat, slated wood; 2 double bladed paddles; 1 harpoon with ivory foreshaft; 1 spear with metal blade. 1 paddle single blade.Hearst Museum object 2 of 14 titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2084, described as Single hatch, in Aleut íqyax’, wood frame, rawhide cover. 4 ivory rests looped through thongs attached to forward deck; 2 bone pieces used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim; 1 spear thrower, ivory with 2 lines incised and darkened with red paint on one side; 1 wood float, zoomorphic shape with features painted red and feathered tail attached; 1 boat hook with bone spur; 1 mat, slated wood; 2 double bladed paddles; 1 harpoon with ivory foreshaft; 1 spear with metal blade. 1 paddle single blade.Hearst Museum object 3 of 14 titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2084, described as Single hatch, in Aleut íqyax’, wood frame, rawhide cover. 4 ivory rests looped through thongs attached to forward deck; 2 bone pieces used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim; 1 spear thrower, ivory with 2 lines incised and darkened with red paint on one side; 1 wood float, zoomorphic shape with features painted red and feathered tail attached; 1 boat hook with bone spur; 1 mat, slated wood; 2 double bladed paddles; 1 harpoon with ivory foreshaft; 1 spear with metal blade. 1 paddle single blade.Hearst Museum object 4 of 14 titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2084, described as Single hatch, in Aleut íqyax’, wood frame, rawhide cover. 4 ivory rests looped through thongs attached to forward deck; 2 bone pieces used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim; 1 spear thrower, ivory with 2 lines incised and darkened with red paint on one side; 1 wood float, zoomorphic shape with features painted red and feathered tail attached; 1 boat hook with bone spur; 1 mat, slated wood; 2 double bladed paddles; 1 harpoon with ivory foreshaft; 1 spear with metal blade. 1 paddle single blade.Hearst Museum object 5 of 14 titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2084, described as Single hatch, in Aleut íqyax’, wood frame, rawhide cover. 4 ivory rests looped through thongs attached to forward deck; 2 bone pieces used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim; 1 spear thrower, ivory with 2 lines incised and darkened with red paint on one side; 1 wood float, zoomorphic shape with features painted red and feathered tail attached; 1 boat hook with bone spur; 1 mat, slated wood; 2 double bladed paddles; 1 harpoon with ivory foreshaft; 1 spear with metal blade. 1 paddle single blade.Hearst Museum object 6 of 14 titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2084, described as Single hatch, in Aleut íqyax’, wood frame, rawhide cover. 4 ivory rests looped through thongs attached to forward deck; 2 bone pieces used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim; 1 spear thrower, ivory with 2 lines incised and darkened with red paint on one side; 1 wood float, zoomorphic shape with features painted red and feathered tail attached; 1 boat hook with bone spur; 1 mat, slated wood; 2 double bladed paddles; 1 harpoon with ivory foreshaft; 1 spear with metal blade. 1 paddle single blade.Hearst Museum object 7 of 14 titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2084, described as Single hatch, in Aleut íqyax’, wood frame, rawhide cover. 4 ivory rests looped through thongs attached to forward deck; 2 bone pieces used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim; 1 spear thrower, ivory with 2 lines incised and darkened with red paint on one side; 1 wood float, zoomorphic shape with features painted red and feathered tail attached; 1 boat hook with bone spur; 1 mat, slated wood; 2 double bladed paddles; 1 harpoon with ivory foreshaft; 1 spear with metal blade. 1 paddle single blade.Hearst Museum object 8 of 14 titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2084, described as Single hatch, in Aleut íqyax’, wood frame, rawhide cover. 4 ivory rests looped through thongs attached to forward deck; 2 bone pieces used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim; 1 spear thrower, ivory with 2 lines incised and darkened with red paint on one side; 1 wood float, zoomorphic shape with features painted red and feathered tail attached; 1 boat hook with bone spur; 1 mat, slated wood; 2 double bladed paddles; 1 harpoon with ivory foreshaft; 1 spear with metal blade. 1 paddle single blade.Hearst Museum object 9 of 14 titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2084, described as Single hatch, in Aleut íqyax’, wood frame, rawhide cover. 4 ivory rests looped through thongs attached to forward deck; 2 bone pieces used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim; 1 spear thrower, ivory with 2 lines incised and darkened with red paint on one side; 1 wood float, zoomorphic shape with features painted red and feathered tail attached; 1 boat hook with bone spur; 1 mat, slated wood; 2 double bladed paddles; 1 harpoon with ivory foreshaft; 1 spear with metal blade. 1 paddle single blade.Hearst Museum object 10 of 14 titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2084, described as Single hatch, in Aleut íqyax’, wood frame, rawhide cover. 4 ivory rests looped through thongs attached to forward deck; 2 bone pieces used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim; 1 spear thrower, ivory with 2 lines incised and darkened with red paint on one side; 1 wood float, zoomorphic shape with features painted red and feathered tail attached; 1 boat hook with bone spur; 1 mat, slated wood; 2 double bladed paddles; 1 harpoon with ivory foreshaft; 1 spear with metal blade. 1 paddle single blade.Hearst Museum object 11 of 14 titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2084, described as Single hatch, in Aleut íqyax’, wood frame, rawhide cover. 4 ivory rests looped through thongs attached to forward deck; 2 bone pieces used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim; 1 spear thrower, ivory with 2 lines incised and darkened with red paint on one side; 1 wood float, zoomorphic shape with features painted red and feathered tail attached; 1 boat hook with bone spur; 1 mat, slated wood; 2 double bladed paddles; 1 harpoon with ivory foreshaft; 1 spear with metal blade. 1 paddle single blade.Hearst Museum object 12 of 14 titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2084, described as Single hatch, in Aleut íqyax’, wood frame, rawhide cover. 4 ivory rests looped through thongs attached to forward deck; 2 bone pieces used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim; 1 spear thrower, ivory with 2 lines incised and darkened with red paint on one side; 1 wood float, zoomorphic shape with features painted red and feathered tail attached; 1 boat hook with bone spur; 1 mat, slated wood; 2 double bladed paddles; 1 harpoon with ivory foreshaft; 1 spear with metal blade. 1 paddle single blade.Hearst Museum object 13 of 14 titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2084, described as Single hatch, in Aleut íqyax’, wood frame, rawhide cover. 4 ivory rests looped through thongs attached to forward deck; 2 bone pieces used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim; 1 spear thrower, ivory with 2 lines incised and darkened with red paint on one side; 1 wood float, zoomorphic shape with features painted red and feathered tail attached; 1 boat hook with bone spur; 1 mat, slated wood; 2 double bladed paddles; 1 harpoon with ivory foreshaft; 1 spear with metal blade. 1 paddle single blade.Hearst Museum object 14 of 14 titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2084, described as Single hatch, in Aleut íqyax’, wood frame, rawhide cover. 4 ivory rests looped through thongs attached to forward deck; 2 bone pieces used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim; 1 spear thrower, ivory with 2 lines incised and darkened with red paint on one side; 1 wood float, zoomorphic shape with features painted red and feathered tail attached; 1 boat hook with bone spur; 1 mat, slated wood; 2 double bladed paddles; 1 harpoon with ivory foreshaft; 1 spear with metal blade. 1 paddle single blade.
Legacy documentation:
Documentation associated with Hearst Museum object titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2084, described as Single hatch, in Aleut íqyax’, wood frame, rawhide cover. 4 ivory rests looped through thongs attached to forward deck; 2 bone pieces used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim; 1 spear thrower, ivory with 2 lines incised and darkened with red paint on one side; 1 wood float, zoomorphic shape with features painted red and feathered tail attached; 1 boat hook with bone spur; 1 mat, slated wood; 2 double bladed paddles; 1 harpoon with ivory foreshaft; 1 spear with metal blade. 1 paddle single blade.Documentation associated with Hearst Museum object titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2084, described as Single hatch, in Aleut íqyax’, wood frame, rawhide cover. 4 ivory rests looped through thongs attached to forward deck; 2 bone pieces used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim; 1 spear thrower, ivory with 2 lines incised and darkened with red paint on one side; 1 wood float, zoomorphic shape with features painted red and feathered tail attached; 1 boat hook with bone spur; 1 mat, slated wood; 2 double bladed paddles; 1 harpoon with ivory foreshaft; 1 spear with metal blade. 1 paddle single blade.Documentation associated with Hearst Museum object titled Kayak model, accession number 2-2084, described as Single hatch, in Aleut íqyax’, wood frame, rawhide cover. 4 ivory rests looped through thongs attached to forward deck; 2 bone pieces used to strengthen scarphs in manhole rim; 1 spear thrower, ivory with 2 lines incised and darkened with red paint on one side; 1 wood float, zoomorphic shape with features painted red and feathered tail attached; 1 boat hook with bone spur; 1 mat, slated wood; 2 double bladed paddles; 1 harpoon with ivory foreshaft; 1 spear with metal blade. 1 paddle single blade.

Tools