Copper Fish
Date1895-1901
Mediumcopper
ClassificationsCeremonial Objects
Terms
Paper Field ReferencesCMH VII-B-278
Object numberHRC 00278
Descriptionmade from copper to represent a whale and used as a ceremonial ornament according to Newcombe. figure made from a single flat sheet of copper cut in the shape of a whale with rounded snout and curved back dorsal fin. body tapers towards tail then flares abruptly with curved indentation forming flukes of tail. small circular paired holes are drilled through curved belly of whale. profile view of whale's facial features and pectoral fin are incised on both surfaces. two curved incised lines from top of head to bottom delineate back of whale's head. three concentric incised circles form eye of whale above mouth incised in form of an oblique elongated ovoid. pectoral fin is incised in shape of an elongated u form enclosing three concentric ovoids and an incised u form with two crescent shaped slits as relief between u form and ovoids. the number "976" is marked in ink (now worn) on one surfface of tail. black coating covers uppermost part of body and face.On View
Not on viewCollections
c. 1898
c. 1905
c. 1898
1909
1884
c. 1886
1895-1901
1895-1901
1895-1901