Description:

Native American, Pacific Northwest, Tlingit or Haida, ca. early 20th century CE. A charming example of a hand-carved, decorated wooden halibut hook. The hook has a slingshot shape, with two arms that meet in a V and are held together with woven cord. One arm is carved into a relief figure of a beaver, complete with cross-hatched belly and huge teeth. A barb made from a sharpened deer bone projects from inside of the undecorated arm. This hook style was designed to capture the correct size of halibut, who feed by opening their mouths wide. If the fish was too small, it would not be able to hook itself; if the fish was too large (and might capsize a small boat), it would put the entire hook in its mouth and not be barbed. Over time, hooks like these were replaced by non-wood technology, but they continued to be carved as pieces of art. Size: 5.4" W x 9.2" H (13.7 cm x 23.4 cm); 10.8" H (27.4 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection

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#148566

  • Condition: Rich patina on surface. Twine has very slight fray but overall the piece is in excellent condition.

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September 5, 2019 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000