The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of December 21, 2025
Spoon
late 1800s–early 1900s
Overall: 10 x 9.7 cm (3 15/16 x 3 13/16 in.)
Gift of Mrs. Lyman H. Treadway 1924.175
Location: 231 Native North American
Description
Elaborate utensils, valuable possessions of Northwest Coast noble clans, were used during potlatch feasts. This spoon’s handle features the heads of a wolf and a raven along with a beaver’s tail. All may be crests, motifs that, like European heraldry, were exclusive to important families and referred to their histories and rights to control land and resources.- {{cite web|title=Spoon|url=false|author=|year=late 1800s–early 1900s|access-date=21 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1924.175