DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42067#0222
194
Art of the North Pacific Coast of North America
on the Haida berry spoon1 (fig. 175). Attention should be called
to the spiral proboscis on this specimen.
The most important characteristic of the killerwhale as represented
by the Haida is the long dorsal fin,—often with white circle or white
stripe in the middle, and a face or eye indicating a joint at the base.
The head is elongated, the mouth long and square in front. The
nostril is large, high, and at the same time elongated. The distance
from the mouth to the eyebrow is long and on totem poles and spoon
handles the head is always so placed that the long snout points
downward. When seen in profile the front of the face is square on
account of the forward extension of the nose over the front part of
the mouth. The eye is generally round but sometimes surrounded
by elongated lid lines with sharp inner and outer corners. Some-
times the blow-hole is shown by a circular spot over the forehead.
In fig. 176 are shown a few representations of the killer-whale as
found on handles of spoons made of mountain goat horn. In (a)
and (b) the dorsal fin rises immidiately over the head of the animal.
The inverted face in (b) probably represents the blow-hole. In (a)
and (c) the fins are folded forward; in the latter specimen the tail
is turned up in front on the body. On the rattle (fig. 177) the
characteristic large head with steep face appears. The mouth is set
with large teeth; the eye is round. In front of the dorsal fin is a
blow-hole. The Haida float (fig. 178) is abnormal in so far as it
has a very small dorsal fin (see also fig. 182 d),
A number of Kwakiutl masks and dishes representing the killer-
whale are shown in fig. 179. Although there are some differences
in the treatment of the animal, the main features are common to
both tribes. All these specimens, except h, have the dorsal fin;
the last named specimen shows the head only. The long, high nose
is found in all except in c, d, e. The high, steep face is common to
all of them. Fig. e, a large house dish,2 is said to represent the
1 These flat,wooden spoons are used for eating soapberries which are beaten to a foam.
2 These dishes are used in great feasts. Some of them are of enormous size.
They are emblems of the family of the houseowner.
Art of the North Pacific Coast of North America
on the Haida berry spoon1 (fig. 175). Attention should be called
to the spiral proboscis on this specimen.
The most important characteristic of the killerwhale as represented
by the Haida is the long dorsal fin,—often with white circle or white
stripe in the middle, and a face or eye indicating a joint at the base.
The head is elongated, the mouth long and square in front. The
nostril is large, high, and at the same time elongated. The distance
from the mouth to the eyebrow is long and on totem poles and spoon
handles the head is always so placed that the long snout points
downward. When seen in profile the front of the face is square on
account of the forward extension of the nose over the front part of
the mouth. The eye is generally round but sometimes surrounded
by elongated lid lines with sharp inner and outer corners. Some-
times the blow-hole is shown by a circular spot over the forehead.
In fig. 176 are shown a few representations of the killer-whale as
found on handles of spoons made of mountain goat horn. In (a)
and (b) the dorsal fin rises immidiately over the head of the animal.
The inverted face in (b) probably represents the blow-hole. In (a)
and (c) the fins are folded forward; in the latter specimen the tail
is turned up in front on the body. On the rattle (fig. 177) the
characteristic large head with steep face appears. The mouth is set
with large teeth; the eye is round. In front of the dorsal fin is a
blow-hole. The Haida float (fig. 178) is abnormal in so far as it
has a very small dorsal fin (see also fig. 182 d),
A number of Kwakiutl masks and dishes representing the killer-
whale are shown in fig. 179. Although there are some differences
in the treatment of the animal, the main features are common to
both tribes. All these specimens, except h, have the dorsal fin;
the last named specimen shows the head only. The long, high nose
is found in all except in c, d, e. The high, steep face is common to
all of them. Fig. e, a large house dish,2 is said to represent the
1 These flat,wooden spoons are used for eating soapberries which are beaten to a foam.
2 These dishes are used in great feasts. Some of them are of enormous size.
They are emblems of the family of the houseowner.