Ivory carving representing rending of sealion by hero; also carving inside of otters. Giant octopus tentacles surround central figures on front with raven heads on upper corners. Raven heads, octopus tentacles, and otters identified by Charles Brown, June 1964. Remarks by Charles Brown on front figures: raven heads on upper corners recognized by their "ears", characteristic of raven representations. Center figure is land otter slide with larg otter and small ones... (continued on Obj. Comments)
Donor:
Ellinor C. Davidson and George Davidson
Collection place:
Northwest Coast, United States
Verbatim coll. place:
; Northwest Coast
Culture or time period:
Tlingit
Collector:
unknown
Collection date:
1869
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Carvings (visual works)
Accession date:
1945
Context of use:
Charm of shaman. Probably worn by shaman during curing ceremonies; represents Kahasi, a mythical Tlingit strongman rending a sealion.
Department:
Native US and Canada (except California)
Dimensions:
length 11 centimeters
Comment:
Photo: 15-13612, 13613; 13-2354, 2355; 15-21772. Published: "Art of the Northwest Coast Indians", fig. 167, R.B. Inverarity, U.C. Press, 1950. Illustrated in R.H. Lowie Museum of Anthropology catalog, "Art of the Northwest Coast", Spring exhibit, March 26-October 17, 1965, frontpiece. (continued from Description): ...Frog on bottom recognized by round nostrils. Depictions of the octopus, frog, raven and mountain goat are also carved on the front.
Loans:
S1963-1964 #9: UC San Francisco Medical Center (September 3, 1963–October 11, 1963), S1973-1974 #65: Oakland Museum of California (March 8, 1974–April 24, 1974), S1974-1975 #41: Palo Alto Cultural Center (January 6, 1975–March 19, 1975), S1988-1989 #8: Art Gallery (Sonoma State Univ.) (September 7, 1988–October 25, 1988), and S1989-1990 #27: John G. Shedd Aquarium (July 15, 1990–January 24, 1992)