Waddington's

Fall Inuit Auction

November 08, 2010

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LOT 50

Lot 50

HALIBUT HOOK

HALIBUT HOOK
Lot 50 Details
HALIBUT HOOK, Tlingit

wood, twisted fiber, ivory
arm carved as a long beaked bird, ca. 1830
9.75" x 5" x 2.5" — 24.8 x 12.7 x 6.4 cm.

Estimate $2,000-$4,000

Realised: $6,000
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

More Details Below   ↓

Lot Report

Provenance:

Sir George Simpson Collection, 1782-1860, (Governor of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s Territories),
Christie’s, Important Tribal Art, July 1982, lot 85, London,
Private Collection, Montreal

Note:

“Tlingit halibut hooks are constructed of two arms of different wood lashed together in V-shaped form. A barb is attached to the unadorned arm while the other, to which the leader is attached, is carved in considerable detail. The images on the decorated arm are said to be spirit helpers which lure the halibut to the baited hook. It is said that hooks have individual names which relate to the primary image carved on the decorated arm.
The fisher will often chant, encouraging the halibut to take the bait by reminding the fish of its hunger. The hook is lowered to the ocean floor with a stone weight. A line runs to the surface and is attached to a wooden seal gut buoy which bobs on the surface to alert the fisher to his catch.”
Christie’s American Indian Art auction catalogue, April 2002. (Jay Stewart Peter MacNair, March 1, 2002)

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

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About Condition Ratings

  • 5 Stars: Excellent - No discernable damage, flaws or imperfections
  • 4 Stars: Very Good - Minor flaws or imperfections visible only under close inspection using specialised instruments or black light
  • 3 Stars: Good - Minor flaws visible upon inspection under standard lighting
  • 2 Stars: Fair - Exhibits flaws or damage that may draw the eye under standard lighting
  • 1 Star: Poor - Flaws or damage immediately apparent under standard lighting (examples: missing components, rips, broken glass, damaged surfaces, etc.)

Note: Condition ratings and condition details are the subjective opinions of our specialists and should be used as a guide only. Waddington’s uses due care when preparing condition details, however, our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. Condition details and reports are not warranties and each lot is sold “as is” in accordance with the buyer’s terms and conditions of sale. In all cases the prospective purchaser is responsible for inspecting the property themselves prior to placing a bid.