Context (CMS Context)
The original European tribal names and, where possible, current tribal names have both been given in separate GLT fields.;
Such paddles were used, and still are, for eating " Indian icecream" which is a frothy substance made from whipping soapberries and water. Soapberries are from the shrub Shepherdia canadensis. This spoons are very similar in style suggesting they were made by the same carver (G.Crowther).
Event Date 1/10/1992
Author: rachel hand

Description (CMS Description)
Catalogue card included description for 1953.479 A-B.
A) A spatulate spoon, also known as a soapberry paddle. The spoon has a cylindrical handle which joins a slightly concave paddle that is smooth on one side and decorated on the convex side. The decoration is a two- dimensional carving, comprising of the characteristic oviods and U-forms, which form the body and head of a creature. The shaft of the spoon had split but has been repaired.
B) A soapberry paddle. The paddle is flat and undecorated on one side, and finely carved on the slightly convex side. The carving is composed of the characteristic ovoids, U-forms and S-shapes, and forms what could possibly be a sea creature.
Event Date 1/10/1992
Author: rachel hand

Context (Amendments / updates)
Provenance of Haida Gwaii added with queries due to potential Haida attribution.

The Northwest Coast Collection was re-catalogued and photographed by Dr. Gillian Crowther in 1992. The revised database records were reproduced in her ‘Catalogue of the Northwest Coast Collection: Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology’, 1992, revised 2nd edition 1996.

Event Date 31/3/2020
Author: rachel hand