Figure

According to Frank Burnett (collector) this item, as well as A146, A149-A153, A155-A157, "...belonged to the late Medicine Man Najieksum Illthpooen (the tail of the whale), of the Kityelash tribe, the people who live by the strong water, Port Essington District ... and was purchased from his widow by the Methodist Missionary of that district." The salmon carving A152 is a pair with A153. The shaman was from Kitselas, as was the attributed maker, Elwitt. These two carvings match other known works by Elwitt in style and are very similar to his spoons and bowls that feature fish. These figures would indicate that Elwitt not only carved for clan usage and the art market, but that he also made objects that were used by medicine men (Christopher Smith, 2019).

shaman's charm?

Naturalistic carving of a salmon. Two small holes drilled through dorsal fin. Small hole in the belly with wooden plug inserted.