Native American, North America, Pacific Northwest Coast, Haida or Tlingit, ca. 18th to 19th century CE. A fine marine mammal bone carving of a stylized figure with an anthropomorphic face holding a large fish clasped to his chest. The details are skillfully engraved in low relief, the fish firmly held by its tail to indicate a successful fishing trip. This piece is small enough to slip into folds of cloth as an amulet, but this figure may have also been part of a halibut hook at one point to ensure luck while fishing. Size: 2.75" L x 0.75" W (7 cm x 1.9 cm)

Traditional halibut hooks were usually made with bone, antler, or wood, and then shaped with two arms bound together with leather or sinew to form a V shape. One arm might be ornately carved with a motif, like this bone example. A barb made from a sharpened bone would then project from inside of the other 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 will 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.

Provenance: private Brevard, North Carolina, USA collection

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#171041

Surface abrasions and pitting but otherwise intact. Softening to finer details. Dark patina throughout.