Collection: Fry

Item Number: Fry0137

Category: Lance

Region: Arctic

Tribe: Eskimo

Period: 1875-1900

Materials: Wood, seal hide and seal hide lashings, as well as glass.

Description: Kings Island Eskimo lances made for killing prey with a thrusting blow, usually from a kayak, once the prey had been harpooned and brought within striking distance. The points on these lances are chipped from glass fishing floats brought to Alaska by fishermen from other parts of the world.

Dimensions: 39" to 45"

Provenance:

The top lance was acquired from Charles and Chris Murphy (Chris is a King Island Eskimo), Fairbanks, Alaska
The other two are from the Chilberg Collection and Jeffrey Myers, New York, N.Y.

Exhibitions:

Lure of the Arctic, Cincinnati Art Museum, October 2007 - January 2008

References:

Kaplan, Susan A. and Kristin J. Barsness, Raven's Journey: The World of Alaska's Native People, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1986, p.128

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