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Fish or Seal Club (X’ús’)
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
Marine and river resources are crucial on the Northwest Coast, including halibut that can weigh several hundred pounds. The thrashing of such a large fish could endanger a canoe and so, after being thanked for surrendering its life, it was clubbed before being brought safely onboard. This example may represent a sea lion, a proficient hunter.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineFish or Seal Club (X’ús’), late 1800s–early 1900s. Native North America, Northwest Coast, Alaska, Tlingit. Wood; figure: 10.5 x 4 cm (4 1/8 x 1 9/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of W. A. Price, 1921.1580
