Asset number
367030001
Description
Spindle whorl, cut from maple wood. Roughly circular, or disc shaped, and slightly convex, the outer curved surface is deeply carved with a scene of two raptorial birds holding fish surmounting a human figure. The whole scene is symmetrical about the vertical line of the figure, whose head abutts the hole for the spindle. Above the figure are two fish held belly to belly vertically in the claws of birds, facing each other, the beaks nearly touching; these may be bald eagles, though with ears the scene may also depict Thurderbird-like creatures. The wings and the tails of the birds flow together to fill the edges of the disc, enclosing the figure. The bodies of the birds are are carved with faces, similar in size and form to the main figure. Style of carving is tradiaitonal Coast Salish with the well developed use of U forms, particularly for the feathers and fish gills. The two bird eyes are differently carved, that on the right is perhaps executed with greater definition. The spindle whorl shows considerable age, patination and use, and the spindle hole is very worn, smooth on the upper raised area and surrounds. A small section of wood was broken off and is missing, before first photography in the 19th century. Attached is a post-accession paper label.
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